Israel Did All They Could, Yet God Did It All

We need God’s help.

Sorry, but this isn’t going to be a post where I uncover some amazing new truth; reveal something you’ve never heard before. I seem to re-learn the same lessons frequently and recently I was reminded of how important God really is.

So…I repeat. We need God’s help.

I’m still slowly but surely working my way through the book of Joshua and as I read chapter 10, I found a common theme that seemed to weave itself all throughout the chapter.

Vrs. 8- And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.

Vrs. 10- And the Lord discomfited them…

Vrs. 11- And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them…

Vrs. 12- …the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel…

Vrs. 14-… the LORD fought for Israel

Vrs. 19-…the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hand.

Vrs. 25- And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to ALL your enemies against whom ye fight.

Vrs. 30- …The Lord delivered it also…

Vrs. 32-…The Lord delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel…

Vrs. 42-…The Lord God of Israel fought for Israel…

Why did Joshua have such great victory in his battles? Because there was such a pattern of obedience and trust that God would come through for him in his time of need. Joshua had “faith in God and faithfulness to God.”

“How then, are we to know whether our faith is a right faith?" One test of it is, it must be a single piece. A shield that is made of three or four pieces in this case will be of no use. Your faith must be all of a piece; it must be faith in the finished work of Christ. You must have no confidence in yourself or in any other man, but must rest wholly and entirely upon Christ; or your shield will be of no use.” (Charles Spurgeon- a very wise man ;)

I get it so mixed up sometimes. I try to take care of all my problems by myself (and it usually ends up getting me in deeper trouble.) or I try to “blame God” by saying that He doesn’t care enough about my pathetic struggles and so it won’t matter if I just give up for a while. We get so ‘out of whack’ when we’re not constantly in God’s Word; being reminded of His promises and of what being called His child really means for us. Joshua took problems to God and then together they went into the battle. “Taking the time to close your eyes in prayer, will open your eyes to a deeper understanding of WHY you need to pray.”

However, Joshua didn't just sit around, waiting for God to take away his problems or answer his prayers. No, he fought! He did his part and trusted that if the burden or struggle ever got to big for him to handle, God would pick up the line.

Do I really want spiritual victory in my life? If I do, I can’t leave God out of the equation. He was the solution to all of Joshuas problems! I need Him!

Yet, one victory in our life does not ensure a second one. In fact, more often than not, we find ourselves even more greatly attacked afterwards. (Joshua 9:1-) “And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan…heard thereof…” “…they gathered themselves together to fight with Joshua and with Israel in one accord.” (Joshua 9:2)

“Some Christians think that faith should enable them to escape blows -- that if they had faith, everything would be peaceful and calm. They think they are going to ride softly into heaven, singing all the way. Why do they put their armor on at all, if they are to have no battles? Why enlist, if you are not to fight? What good is a fair-weathered soldier who stays at home to feed, at the public expense? No, let the soldier be ready when war comes; let him expect the conflict as a part and necessary consequence of his profession. But be armed with faith; it receives the blows. The poor shield is knocked and hammered and battered like a house exposed in a time of storm. Blow after blow comes rattling upon it; and though it turns death aside, yet the shield is compelled itself to hear the cut and the thrust. So must our faith do -- it must be cut at, it must bear the blows.” (Spurgeon again)

So, yes…there will continue to be struggles. There will continue to be battles. God doesn’t promise that following Him will be an easy road. But…He does guarantee ultimate victory; His presence is always with us and the rewards of following Him are far too indescribable to try and put them into words.

“And they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee.”

Anyways, I have a lot to learn… and re-learn. But God is patient and faithful and His correcting hand is gentle. So… as Charles Spurgeon once said “I have but one piece of advice and that is, go on.”