How many out there are facing some battles? Whether the battles you’re facing are large in the grand scheme of things or barely a drop in the bucket to some, the fact that you’re facing a battle is significant. John 10:10 tells us that the enemy is out to steal, kill, and destroy, so especially as a Christian, you’re going to be facing some battles. A pastor I listen to says that if you’re not bumping into the devil now and then, you might just be going in the same direction. If the enemy isn’t trying to steal, kill, or destroy you, then you’re probably not a threat to him.
Your battles might be seemingly small. For instance, my kiddos are about to say good-bye to their care-free summer and hello to another year of homeschooling. They’re upset that a stricter schedule is about to be enforced, and they’re bummed that they’re, once again, being homeschooled. They’re facing a battle of choosing to step up in order to be greater. They’re facing a tough choice of finding joy in what they have instead of griping and complaining about what they think is better. They have a mental choice that is a battle for them.
Then there are others fighting battles of a more serious nature. A medical report comes back that offers little to no hope. Maybe a business is struggling to survive. What about those times that you’re working your tail off and just can’t seem to meet the basic needs of your family because of the rising cost of, well, everything? These are battles that people are facing every day all over the world. I realize that it’s not just Christians who face these things, but it’s important to know that just because you’re a Christian, it doesn’t mean your life is going to be trouble-free.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
I love the story of Joshua. Most of us have heard the story of Joshua fighting the battle of Jericho (maybe you’ve heard the song, too). But the Sunday School version of Joshua often leaves out the pre-Jericho and the post-Jericho story. Joshua was Moses’ successor in leading the Israelites (Joshua 1). A fun little side note: The Greek form of Joshua’s name is Jesus. His name was originally Hoshea but was changed by Moses (Numbers 13:16). Moses represented the Law and Joshua was a representation of Jesus. He had performed faithfully under the Law (Moses), and it was He, not Moses, that would be the means of accomplishing the blessings that God had promised.
Joshua took over leadership and didn’t seem to waste time basking in his promotion. He got right to work and sent out the spies to view out the promised land – and especially Jericho. The spies were aided by Rahab (Joshua 2) – if you’re interested in a little extra on Rahab, be sure to check out my post, Something Had to Die. Between the spies reporting back and the Israelites taking Jericho, they crossed the flooded Jordan River on dry ground (Joshua 3-4). Talk about a reminder of the Red Sea parting – these people had only heard stories of it! After that, the uncircumcised males were circumcised, they celebrated the Passover, and Joshua had an encounter with God (Joshua 5 – 6:1-5). Only then were they ready for Jericho.
Joshua spent time getting prepared for the responsibility of leadership while Moses was alive. He had opportunity to see how God came through time and time again on behalf of the Israelites. I find it interesting that in Joshua 1 there are 4 times that God tells him to be strong and courageous. Joshua, even after all He had witnessed and learned, must have needed the reminder. Then again, they were on their way to take the land. They were on their way for battle after battle… after battle.
We can feel like that, too, can’t we? We fight and overcome one battle just to face another soon after. We think we’ve arrived or that we’ve made it and then find out that there’s something else that we’re either going to be subject to or we’ll subject. God instructed Joshua in how to clear out the Promised Land. How many priests carrying trumpets, in what order, how many times to walk around the city, on what day to blow the horns and shout, what to do with survivors (if any allowed), and what to do with the spoils of war. God was in the details – and He’s in the details of your battles, too.
There are so many times that we forget the fierce savageness of God. We don’t picture Him as a warrior, but instead as a peaceful man who says let the children come to me. He’s the can’t-we-all-just-get-along kind of guy and not the God who levels cities, leaving no survivors (including women and children). But Joshua knew Him as the God who fights His battles and comes out victorious.
By the time we read up to Joshua 10, The Israelites had experienced both victory and defeat (defeat because they did things their own way). Now they were battling against 5 different kingdoms that had banned together against them. That’s pretty terrifying! They weren’t looking at very hopeful odds… unless they factored in God.
And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them shall stand before you.” Joshua 10:8 NASB
God didn’t waste any time. Within just 8 verses, Joshua and all of Israel with him returned to their camp with another victory under their belt (Joshua 10:15). The 5 battles in 1 took a bit of time of course, and even more than normal. This is the only time in history where time actually stood still. Joshua asked God to have the sun stand still so that their victory could be even greater (Joshua 10:12-14). God was in the details of timing for Joshua and the Israelites.
I battle against allergies at times – too many times in my opinion – and will find relief from the headaches and sinus issues (yay – a win!), but always seem to have a lingering cough. I know that it’s nothing compared to what Joshua faced, but bear with me. When those 5 kings saw their vast armies getting wiped out and the sun stood still for a full day, the kings fled. They decided to go hide in a cave until the coast was clear to go home and try to regroup. But God wasn’t about to allow a lingering cough for His children.
Joshua knew about the 5 kings hiding out in the cave and decided to keep them trapped there. He had his people roll large stones against the mouth of the cave while they finished with their enemies. When the slaying was done with the 5 armies, Joshua had the stones rolled away and called all of the men of Israel to gather around the 5 kings. He had the chiefs of the warriors come forward and place their feet on the necks of those kings (Joshua 10:16-24). Then Joshua spoke to God’s children and told them what God had been reminding him of over and over again.
Joshua then said to them, “Do not fear or be dismayed! Be strong and courageous, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies with whom you fight.” So afterward Joshua struck them and put them to death, and he hanged them on five trees; and they hung on the trees till evening. Joshua 10:25-26 NASB
…Thus the Lord will do to all your enemies with whom you fight… What enemies are you fighting? Are you battling health issues? Relationship issues? Financial issues? Be strong and courageous! God didn’t send Jesus to die on the cross just to leave you with a lingering cough. He came to save you. He came to save all of you. No, we’re not going to have it easy in this life – there are going to be obstacles and battles and struggles beyond what we want. But we have God, and He is fiercely savage when it comes to the health and welfare of His kiddos.