Prayer: Father, I may I learn from Your Word today. May I make new discoveries which increase my faith in You. Amen.
Reading: Joshua 10 key: vs. 12-14
“Then Joshua spoke to Adonai, on the day Adonai gave the Amorites over to Bnei-Yisrael and said in the eyes of Israel: “Sun, stand still over Gibeon, Moon, over the Aijalon Valley!” So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance on its enemies. (Is it not written in the Book of Jashar?) Thus, the sun halted in the middle of the sky, and did not hurry to go down for about a full day.” TLV
Attention: In our culture today, we often hear the phrase, “follow the science.” In face of the scriptural account of Joshua documenting the sun standing still at declaration he made to Adonai in the face of battle. He knew that he could not accomplish the task of defeating the enemy and appealed for more daylight time from Adonai. According to the account, Adonai granted his request.
According to an article in The Times of Israel dated 30 October, 2017, researchers from Cambridge University made the discovery (‘Joshua stopped the sun’ 3,224 years ago today, scientists say | The Times of Israel). I encourage you to read this article which establishes the credibility of Joshua’s account, that the sun stood still.
We find that science in the past two decades has served to document biblical accounts rather than disprove them. Discoveries of Noah’s ark and the flood for example.
What lessons can we take from the declaration of Joshua? Appealing to the Sovereignty of God in all situations is a suggestion I would make to everyone. Notice in the verses preceding Joshua’s declaration, every battle in which Adonai was consulted, He showed up and showed off. Not only did He bring the walls down in Jericho, but He also fought for and with Bnei-Yisrael. “Adonai threw them into confusion before Israel, defeated them with a crushing defeat at Gibeon, chased them by the road that goes up to Beth-horon, and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. While they were fleeing before Israel down the descent of Beth-horon, Adonai cast down great stones from heaven on them all the way to Azekah so they died—more of them died from the hailstones than those Bnei-Yisrael killed with the sword.
God brought confusion (psychological warfare) and pelted them with hailstones, both involvements from the supernatural hand of God. God fought Bnei-Yisrael’s battles with them; will He not more engage in our battles too.
Action: I choose to engage in life’s battles with Adonai.
Yield: I choose to yield to the Divine in ordering my steps and fighting my battles.
Engage: I choose to engage with Adonai in a lifestyle of seeking His counsel.
Relationship: I choose to be in intimate relationship with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, I face life’s battles with You by my side. I have the confidence in You that You will never leave me nor forsake me, and You will intervene on my behalf! Amen.
Memory Verse: Matthew 28:20b
“And remember! I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” TLV
Music Video: Phil Wickham—Battle Belongs https://youtu.be/johgSkNj3-A
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”