God fights for us – 16 February 2023
By Benescke Janse van Rensburg
Se(di)ngolwa (t)sa Bibele
JOSHUA 10
JOSHUA 10
Five armies combining forces to attack a city. The sun and moon standing still. And God getting the honour for the win. This sounds like a trailer from an action movie. Yet, this is what happened in Joshua 10.
After Joshua and the Israelites entered the Promised Land, they conquered the territory wherever they went because God was with them. The kings in the area panicked – especially when they heard that Gibeon, a mighty city, concluded a peace treaty with the Israelites. They knew that if the Israelites and the fighters from Gibeon unite, no city would ever be able to withstand such an attack.
Five kings in the area combined forces and decided to attack Gibeon. This was an attempt to stop the Israelites. The king of Gibeon sent a message to Joshua asking for help. Immediately Joshua and his mighty warriors left to help Gibeon because they had a promise from God: ‘Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.’ (Joshua 10:8, NIV)
After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took the enemy by surprise. The Lord threw them into confusion before Israel. He even hurled large hailstones down on the enemy which killed more of them than was killed by swords of the Israelites.
Joshua realised that the day was too short for the attack and in front of the Israelites, he asked God to stop the sun and moon. In Joshua 10:13b we read: “The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.” On this day, Joshua and the Israelites conquered all five kings and their land, because God was with them.
Sometimes we forget who this God is, who we worship. He is the One who can stop the sun and moon, because he created it. What do you need today? Perhaps also for God to stop the “sun and moon” in your life in order for you to get everything done that overwhelms you? Perhaps you need him to intervene in your life because it feels as if a powerful army is about to demolish you? God remains in charge of our lives. Let’s walk with self-confidence into the battle, knowing that he is on our side. This is true faith. God bless.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for being almighty and in charge of my life. Please help me not to live in fear, but to remind myself of who you are. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen
