Josh 9-11 Tricks, Trips and Triumph

March 13th, Joshua 9-11

       Tales of trickery, miracles, and provision...just a normal slice of life for God's people.
     
       Trickery: Ever been duped by someone lying to you? We've all been there, someone presents what is not true and we make decisions based on that. Israel makes a mistake and yet they didn't compound it with another. They've learned the God they serve is a God of his word and feel compelled to do the same. Do we have to keep our word when the word of another is a lie? ....processing...I'm not ready to say always, but I can appreciate how the leaders kept their word in this story even at the cost of followers questioning you. The biggest point to remember in this whole story is stated in the text... they didn't inquire of the Lord... ah, lesson learned.

       Miracles: Your enemies are fleeing and stones begin to fall out of the sky. Based on yesterday's devotion, this too is not a normal battle strategy taught at a war college. Day's not long enough for you, too many enemies to rout in 24 hour period...then make the sun stand still in the sky for an extra 24 hours. Don't we wish we could do that??!! By the way, I love reading people trying to scientifically prove how a miracle couldn't have happened because it doesn't follow the normal rules of nature. That in and of itself is the nature of a miracle right. If there is a God who created this place, he can suspend all the natural rules of order he wants. If he can stop the world from spinning on it's axis he can also keep the sunny side of the earth from overheating, and the shady side from overcooling, that could be part of the miracle. "God couldn't of therefore this didn't happen," is faulty logic concerning what God can/can't do.  If God exists miracles are easy to explain. If God doesn't exist one has to go way out of the way to come up with bad explanations that sometimes are more nonsensical than just knowing God intervened and I can't explain. Yeah God!! The Book of Jashar is an outside resource confirming this strange event. Everyone can't be wrong!

       Provision: Joshua 10:42 Joshua captured all these Kings and their land at one time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel. We find ourselves in different types of battles than Joshua, but know this...whatever battle you are facing today, God is even more interested and capable of winning the battle than we are. So inquire of Him, ask for His strength, rejoice in the victory we get to know because of God Almighty.

Strength and Courage,

Terry