Do Not Be Afraid

Joshua 10:1-15

Introduction:

Today, we will be talking about God being all-powerful or another word for it is omnipotence. There is absolutely nothing that God is incapable of doing. Everything in creation is in God’s control and nothing is to big for God. In Joshua 10:1-15 our scripture for today, we will see that God not only is able to keep the sun and the moon in place, but always upholds his promises.

I. Do Not Be Afraid Vs. 1-8

A. We see in the opening verses of this passage that the king of Jerusalem was terrified of Joshua and the Israelites. At this point Joshua had gained a massive reputation in the country. They had taken down the great city of Jericho, and they had also captured Ai and destroyed both it and its king. So after Israel had made peace with the Gibeonites, the king of Jerusalem felt like he needed to act now. Gibeon was bigger and stronger that Ai and so with that kind of power he was afraid of Joshua. We read here in verse 4 that the king gathered up 4 other kings and declared that with their armies they should attack Gibeon. They had a strike first mentality. They thought they were next on the chopping block for Joshua so they needed to act now and they needed to act fast. At this point the Gibeonites needed to do something, so in verse 6 we see that they go to Joshua, they go to God’s people asking them for help. So Joshua gathers up men of valor and then God tells them do not be afraid, for they have been given into their hands.

B. How often are we afraid? In this passage, Joshua and Israel are about to face five separate kings and their armies. Imagine how daunting that is! In that position I think it would be extremely daunting to take that on. But what does God say? He says do not be afraid and then he gives them a promise that they are in their hands. God has already given them victory. Do we have that mindset in our lives? Throughout our life we are going to face hardships and trials that are going to be really daunting and scare. It will get immensely difficult. But in those moments are you going to be afraid? Or are you can trust God? Whether it’s armies your facing, or you couldn’t pay all the bills, or you lost your job, or someone close died, are you going to be able to be fearless in the face of that and have faith in God. In this world fear is everywhere and is even overwhelming at times. I’m sure Joshua probably felt a like overwhelmed over what he was about to face. But he didn’t have to fear and neither do you.

Do Not Be Afraid To Act Vs. 9-11

A. Moving on looking down at verse 9 we see that Joshua came on the armies suddenly after marching all night. Joshua did not let any time waste. He immediately acted. Then we see that the Lord began driving them into a panic which made it even easier for Israel’s attack. While the armies were running away, God sent down hailstones from the sky onto them, which took out a majority of the soldiers. These armies were not just in a war against Joshua or Israel or Gibeon, but they were in a war against God. How Idiotic is it to try to beat God?

B. We see here that Joshua acted immediately. He didn’t spend days trying to come to a conclusion to see if that it was worth the risk. He chose to trust in God and act. The Lord told him not to fear and that they would win the battle. And that was all Joshua needed to know. Joshua didn’t know how exactly they were going to win or how they would even be able to defeat the armies. But that didn’t matter and Joshua acted immediately in faith. He knew that God was on his side and if God is on your side then who can be against you! What is stopping you from Acting? What are you afraid of? If God is calling you to do something, then it does not matter what obstacles might be in the way because God is on your side. You aren’t alone. No matter how difficult it might seem. We need to be able to act with faith like Joshua and place our trust in God.

Do Not Be Afraid To Have Faith In God’s Promise Vs. 12-15

A. Now reading through verses 12-15 we see the mighty omnipotent power of God. The Miracle that God performs here is extraordinary. In these verses Joshua reaches out to God in prayer, asking for Him to make the sun stand still that that way they could complete the battle. I don’t know about you but that sounds like a pretty huge favor to ask God! But in verse 14 the scripture says “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.” The Lord heeded the voice of a man. God answered Joshua’s prayer and stopped the sun in it’s place. How amazing is that. Now that is the power of God. Everything is in his control. And it says that the Lord fought for Israel. The Lord was on Israel’s side.

B. Look at the faith Joshua exercised! Joshua cried out to God and he answered. Do you do that? When things are hard, when you are struggling, when you are in battle, do you cry out to God for help? Joshua had faith that God would fulfill his promise. God gave them into the hands of Israel just like he said! Through our lives we face a multitude of challenges, and we are promised that we will go the hard times, but our God is mighty. Our God is all-powerful and can even stop the sun where it hangs in the sky. So no matter what you are going through, God can be on your side and you do not have to fear! Have faith.

Conclusion:

In this passage of scripture we see God do an amazing miracle. God gave encouragement to Joshua and his people, and kept his promise to them. Maybe you having been living in fear and uncertainty for a long time. You haven’t placed your faith in God and you don’t even feel like he is on your side. But just like Joshua you don’t have to fear. No matter the battles you are facing or going to face. God is all-powerful and in control. So don’t be afraid. Let’s pray.