In his patient leading of the Israelites into the land God promised them, Joshua defeated many enemies. He followed what God called him to do, and in that journey needed to battle many who wanted to destroy the Lord's work. But God is not mocked (Gal. 6:7). He told Joshua, "I will fight for you." And he did. But not only that, He told Joshua, "Do not fear them, for I have [already] given them into your hands" (Joshua 10:8). God speaks of the future in the past tense. He has already prepared journeys of joy, as well as challenges of drought for us. (Specifically for each one of us). The reason: that we might see our need for Him and fall to our knees at His feet. All of this so that He might simply conquer in satisfying us with Himself.
For Joshua, he had to fight. He had to fight for his people. God prepared a path for him and told him that it was already completed. Joshua just had to walk in what God had placed before him. In this particular battle in Joshua 10, defeat of his foes became apparent as the heavens battled on Joshua's behalf. However, in the moment, Joshua saw the sun begin to set and knew that more time was needed to finish the battle before nightfall. He commanded:
Sun, stand still!
And it did.
(Other historical books even record it, saying that there had never been a day before, nor has there been a day since, that the sun stood still.)
God stopped the sun. He showed His sovereignty and control over ALL things, that those all over the world might notice and worship the Creator in His splendor. But in this He also gave Joshua time to complete the task He'd laid before him. And Joshua did.
For our trip to Moscow, I will be praying that God would make the days longer; that we might be able to share the gospel with more and more students each day; that the sun would stand still in order to allow for more hope, peace and joy to flow from our mouths to the students with whom we will be in conversation; that God's glory might be manifested in the beauty of His son's name, Jesus; that the tangibility and relevance of the gospel would be evident to the students, and that they would yearn for more of Him.
Please partner with us in these prayers. Please start now. It's never to early to pray for the hearts of those who aren't able to experience the freedom of the gospel.
Thank you for all of your love and support.
May the sun stand still.
"And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal, saying, "Do not relax your hand from your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the hill country are gathered against us." 7So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. 8And the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you." 9So Joshua came upon them suddenly, having marched up all night from Gilgal. 10 And the LORD threw them into a panic before Israel, who struck them with a great blow at Gibeon and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. 11And as they fled before Israel, while they were going down the ascent of Beth-horon, the LORD threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword.
12At that time Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel,
"Sun, stand still at Gibeon,
and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon."
13And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped,
until the nation took vengeance on their enemies.
Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. 14 There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD heeded the voice of a man, for the LORD fought for Israel.
15So Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal." --Joshua 10:6-15
12At that time Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel,
"Sun, stand still at Gibeon,
and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon."
13And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped,
until the nation took vengeance on their enemies.
Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. 14 There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD heeded the voice of a man, for the LORD fought for Israel.
15So Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal." --Joshua 10:6-15
