God's Battle Plan

Introduction

God’s battle plans take us by surprise because we think battles must be won in conventional ways — through superior force, bravery, the best tactics man can develop, etc. Never make the mistake of thinking you can create your own victory in this spiritual battle we face everyday. The battle must belong to the Lord —

You might know of the many battles the people of Isreal fought with neighboring kingdoms. These battles were won through the miraculous hand of God. In Judges 7, Gideon and Isreal faced a Midianite army of 150,000 or more — Israel had 32,000 soldiers.

Long story short, God directed Gideon to whittle down the army to a mere 300 men

Judges 7:13–21 ESV

When Gideon came, behold, a man was telling a dream to his comrade. And he said, “Behold, I dreamed a dream, and behold, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian and came to the tent and struck it so that it fell and turned it upside down, so that the tent lay flat.” And his comrade answered, “This is no other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp.” As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped. And he returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Arise, for the Lord has given the host of Midian into your hand.” And he divided the 300 men into three companies and put trumpets into the hands of all of them and empty jars, with torches inside the jars. And he said to them, “Look at me, and do likewise. When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do. When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow the trumpets also on every side of all the camp and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.’ ” So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when they had just set the watch. And they blew the trumpets and smashed the jars that were in their hands. Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars. They held in their left hands the torches, and in their right hands the trumpets to blow. And they cried out, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” Every man stood in his place around the camp, and all the army ran. They cried out and fled.

There are many such stories in the Old Testament — the same is true throughout the history of the Jewish people, even to this day.

During the 6-day War, June 5-10, 1967, Jordan, Egypt, and Syria came against Isreal in battle. Many amazing things happened — Confusion among the Egyptian Commanders, leading to stunning defeats. Only God could have orchestrated such victories. Although Isreal was outnumbered more than 3 to one, they soundly defeated their enemies. Some of enemy soldiers even reported running away from the Israelites because there were giant warriors with flaming swords surrounding them...

We could tell story after story of Christians throughout history who experienced miraculous victories

What makes a victory miraculous? When there is no human way to win…yet the victory comes anyway.

LISTEN VIDEO (V. 3, Session 4): 6 min., 9 sec.

After 40 years of waiting…the next generation of Israelites now stood near the bank of the Jordan river. Their new leader - encouraged by God and the people - prepared them to cross over and take the land

Joshua and the people knew what God had already done for them — they stepped out in faith, believing God was about to give them another miraculous victory.

Psalm 118:6 ESV

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

PRAYER

As we recount this amazing victory over the city of Jericho, some timely and relevant truths shine brightly

You will experience God’s promises and love by following His strategy

Transitional: They didn’t know how it would come about, but they stepped forward, believing He would do what He promised

WHEN YOU BELIEVE THE PROMISE, GOD STEPS IN WITH HIS BATTLE PLAN (5:13-6:5)

Exposition:

At the end of Joshua 5, the people have crossed the Jordan

The men and boys have been circumcised — the new generation — a sign of the covenant and a new phase in their lives as God’s people of promise

They celebrated the Passover for the first time in their new land of promise

The manna ceased and now they began to eat of the produce of the land

A lot of changes in the wind…a new move…a new stage of their story as God’s people

At the end of chapter 5, Joshua is exploring the area near Jericho

This was the first place they must conquer if they were to move forward to take the land

He was probably wondering how this city could be conquered

Fortified --- a thick protective wall — experienced soldiers protected the city — what…how?

But He had faith…that is why he was there

Joshua 5:13–15 ESV

When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

…Joshua’s faith had taken him this far —

When all you can do is worship

Joshua wanted to hear a word from the Lord

Like Moses at the burning bush…he was in the presence of the one true, holy God

There was nothing to do but throw off the sandals and fall down in worship…what else could he do?

The commander of the army of the Lord did not answer Joshua but told him he was was on holy ground.

Worship is always the best place to start when seeking God’s plan

…Joshua’s faith had taken him this far —

When the doors are shut tight — wait for the right battle plan

Joshua 6:1–5 ESV

Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. And the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. And when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.”

Application

We need to remember constantly — God’s ways are higher than ours — His battle plan doesn’t fit with human reasoning

Just as Joshua went to get the lay of the enemy’s city…we must stay alert and focused

Just as Joshua believed God would keep his promise…this faith must motivate us to keep praying, watching, waiting, and worshipping

The gates of the city were shut up tight! No way in — no battering rams, no bombs, no huge army! What to do…wait for God’s instructions

Transitional: God’s battle plan needs no improvement…simply follow in faith

WHEN YOU BELIEVE GOD’S PLAN YOU CAN FOLLOW HIM INTO BATTLE (6:6-21)

Joshua 6:6–11 ESV

So Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord.” And he said to the people, “Go forward. March around the city and let the armed men pass on before the ark of the Lord.” And just as Joshua had commanded the people, the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the Lord went forward, blowing the trumpets, with the ark of the covenant of the Lord following them. The armed men were walking before the priests who were blowing the trumpets, and the rear guard was walking after the ark, while the trumpets blew continually. But Joshua commanded the people, “You shall not shout or make your voice heard, neither shall any word go out of your mouth, until the day I tell you to shout. Then you shall shout.” So he caused the ark of the Lord to circle the city, going about it once. And they came into the camp and spent the night in the camp.

God’s plan hinges upon faith-filled obedience, not war tactics

Occasionally, God’s people get things right the first time — this time they did — no arguing, no second guessing, no plan B just in case God’s plan didn’t work

They simply followed the plan

Can you imagine the people of Jericho peeking over the wall or through cracks and crevices? It must have been excruciatingly unnerving for them

God’s plan always involves His perfect timing

Application

Fully trusting God allows you to give up your own worries and stress — it frees you up to realize God will be with you and will tell you when to shout and when to remain quiet…when to march and when to rest…when to arise and when to call it a day

Transitional: God’s plan takes you all the way to the Promised Land

WHEN YOU FOLLOW GOD’S BATTLE PLAN YOU WILL EXPERIENCE VICTORY (6:22-27)

Exposition

On the 7th day, the marched around 7 times…and on the 7th time around Joshua gave the command to shout!

Joshua 6:20 ESV

So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.

CHALLENGE

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

It is very easy to evaluate, judge, and question God’s timing

This event in Joshua, along with countless others, reminds us that God is faithful

We fail the Lord at times…but let us be reminded today

Faith demonstrated by obedience brings victory

Here’s how to experience the joy and God’s fulfilled promises and love: FOLLOW HIS PLAN

His plan…first and foremost

Surrender your life to Jesus because He loves you so much He died to pay for your sins and give you eternal life

His plan awaits you when you open His word with a heart of worship, prayer, and hunger