Prayer: Father, when You engage on my behalf, the work is perfect and complete. Thank You for ordering my steps. Amen.
Reading: Joshua 11 key: vs. 6-9
“But Adonai said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid because of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give all of them slain before Israel. You are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.” So Joshua and all the people of war with him attacked them suddenly at the waters of Merom and fell upon them. Then Adonai gave them into the hand of Israel, so they defeated them and chased them as far as Great Zidon and Misrephoth-maim, and up to the Valley of Mizpeh eastward. They struck them down until they left them no survivors. Joshua did to them as Adonai had instructed him—he hamstrung their horses and burnt their chariots with fire.” TLV
Attention: I recall reading a book on the life of Hudson Taylor, missionary to China in the mid to late 1800’s. During the time he was in China, China suffered civil war which provided him the opportunity to care for the injured and wounded. His story is fascinating as he not only ministered but brough some 800 missionaries to China and started hundreds of schools. I mention Hudson Taylor as I recall reading that there was a time when his house was surrounded by soldiers and it was anticipated they would attack, but all through the night, they did not attack. The author documented that the soldiers saw armed guards around Hudson’s home, which did not exist. God providentially protected his servant.
Since we are studying Joshua and the art of Adonai-led warfare, notice that in each of the conflicts, He has instructed Joshua which tactics he is to employ this time. In our chapter today, notice that Joshua is told, “You are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.”
We know that the Egyptians had chariots and now chariots are mentioned in chapter 11. Chariots were the latest high-tech advancement in weaponry. Nations who had chariots possessed a distinct weaponry advantage. Only, Joshua was told not to fear them, God was going to deliver them into their hands, and He did. Notice too, in chapter 7:35, we are told “The men of Ai struck down about 36 of their men.” Have we been told of any other losses of Hebrew soldiers? No. The significance is the omission of deaths or casualties. They are omitted or absent, because there were no deaths. God was supernaturally fighting the enemy before their very eyes in combination with them.
Just as it is easy to have confidence when God is with Joshua and his mighty men, we too can have confidence when God is with us in all our daily life experiences.
Action: I choose to take confidence in the presence of Adonai in my life.
Yield: I choose to yield to the protective providence of Adonai.
Engage: I choose to engage with Adonai in the daily trials of life.
Relationship: I choose to stay in intimate relationship with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, I choose to submit to You, to engage with Your Spirit, living in relationship with You. Order my steps today. Bring God-ordained appointments across my path. I pray in the name of Messiah. Amen.
Memory Verse: Psalms 20:8
“Some have chariots, some have horses, but we remember the Name of Adonai our God.” TLV
Music Video: Jonathan David & Melissa Helser—No Longer Slaves https://youtu.be/f8TkUMJtK5k
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”