Battlefield Blessings

This is considered one of the most amazing passages in the life of Joshua. It is of no doubt the greatest miracle in his life. It is also the last miracle mentioned in the book of Joshua. We have in this passage a great victory out of a terrible mistake.

If you remember in previous chapters we are told a story that I have always found interesting. Shortly after the defeat of Jereicho and AI a group of Cannanland dwellers called Gibeonites tricked Joshua by packing moldy bread, tattered clothes, and dry broken water vessels. They said they had been traveling for a long long time and just wanted to become friends with Joshua and the children of Israel. Joshua and the delegation sat down and signed a treaty. Then shortly thereafter Joshua found out who they were the very people they were not to make any deals with, and here they had. God took this great mistake and brought glory to his name through it.

After other kings of the Promised Land found out what Gibeon had done, they became jealous, angry, and fearful and decided to join together and come after Gibeah. As they surrounded this town, somehow they got messages to Joshua, who came as soon as he could to conquer these five kings.

I want us to look at two things this morning

A Strategy For Defeat

Greater number of enemies - This was five Kings, with no doubt a tremendous army coming after 1 city they were extremely outnumbered. Greater obstacles mountains to climb a clock to race ( Dewy Smith YouTube video )

While Joshua and his army traveled to save Gibeon, they journeyed at night (apparently all night) and all uphill.

Sometimes our greatest battles are the obstacles that get in our way.

Things that just don't seem to work out If we are trying to follow God - something we just can't seem to get rid of Whatever might get in our way to slow us down or detour us They also had a timer that was running out. It would appear from face value (although no one knows for sure - We will talk about this in a moment-) It seems that the daylight was fading fast. victory was slipping out of their fingers.

Greater Odds ( The more terrible the odds the greater power of God)

A Strategy For Victory

Divine Promise 10:8-9

Fear not - It is amazing how many times God gives Joshua the command to "Fear Not" in this book. When you have God's divine promise, there is no longer reason to fear. Divine Intervention - 10:10-11

Some were just slain (we are not told how that happens) Many more where killed by hailstones They were discomfited - Meaning: 1) to move noisily, confuse, make a noise, discomfit, break, consume, crush, destroy, trouble, vex 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to move noisily 1a2) to confuse, discomfit, vex BIBLEWORKS Divine Communications - 10:12-14

It wasn't Jr. or Susy that Joshua that Joshua said "be still" It wasn't the cat or Fido that he spoke it to, it was the sun. Have you ever thought about this -

The Moon Is 238,900 miles away 50 Moons could fit into earth

And yet Joshua said, "Be Still" and what happened? It was still.

The Sun is 92.96 million miles away That 1.3 Million Earths could fit inside the Sun

This is what Joshua said, "Be still" and according to our scripture - the brakes came on and it came to a screeching halt I think the lesson or application here is, it doesn't matter what you are up against, don't ever forget - your enemy, your obstacle it's up against the almighty God.

Wading through deep waters

Verse 1

As Peter went to meet the Lord a walkin on the sea,

He looked around and saw the waves and he began to sink,

But God heard his cry for help, oh Lord please save me,

He reached down his hand for him, he'll do the same for me.

Chorus

I'm wading through deep waters tryin to get home,

The waves of sin they dash so high, sometimes I think I'm gone,

But when I think I'm gonna sink, I'll raise my hand up high

That great big hand of God comes down and takes a hold of mine.

Verse 2

As Moses and the Israelites fled Pharoah and his men,

It looked as if they all would die and fear came over them,

But God spoke unto Moses stretch your hand out over the sea,

He reached down his hand for them, he'll do the same for me.

From <http://www.namethathymn.com/hymn-lyrics-detective-forum/index.php?a=vtopic&t=7302>