Victory’s Battle Cry—A Study in Joshua Part 13—When Heaven and Earth Stood Still
As we move on to Chapter 10 in Joshua, I believe that there are three main lessons within this chapter that we must learn and take to heart to help us in the battles of life against sin.
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Victory’s Battle Cry—A Study in Joshua (Part 12)—Greater Grace, Sovereign Love
As I have pondered, read, reread and searched—I was initially baffled by what comes next in Joshua Chapter 9. The Israelites were victorious over Jericho because of God’s guiding hand. They had then initially failed because they did it their way against Ai. Ultimately they won against Ai after repenting and learning to once more follow God’s plan. Now we come to Chapter 9, which I hope you have read. As I explain the plot of the story, I hope to give justice to the deeper meaning for our lives.
Used with written Permission of Ronald Barba who owns the copyright. Click on link for more information.
The story is that all the other kings inhabiting the lands that God had given long ago to Abraham are suddenly afraid and want to join forces together to try to beat the Israelites. That is all except for the Hivites. The Hivites dwelled in the cities of Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth and Kirjath Jearim. The leaders from the main city which was Gibeon made up a story that they had traveled from very far away and wished an alliance with the Israeli nation because they feared God. Joshua 9: “14 ¶ And the [i]men accepted their tale concerning their victuals, and counseled not with the mouth of the Lord.15 So Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, that he would suffer them to live: also the Princes of the Congregation swore unto them.” Once more, the leaders move on to make a pact without talking to God first—a very foolish move. Later they find that they were tricked by these people; however, the people remained true to their part of the bargain and become the
Victory’s Battle Cry—A Study in Joshua Part 11—Victory Arising from the Ashes of Defeat
As we move on to Joshua 8, we must not forget the failures of faith and the sin that lead to the battle being lost in chapter 7. What are the lessons learned in our valleys of defeat that result in greater, glorious displays of God’s sovereignty over our lives?
picture used with written permission of Ronald Barba who hold the copyright. click on picture to follow link if you desire to learn how to obtain a copy.
The same has been true in the history of my life. So often we want to question what God has done. The truth is all He has done is to demonstrate patience, grace and mercy to all these foolish lumps of clay that deserve nothing. It has all been Grace. You or I would have said, “Enough” so long ago; but, not God. So as we turn from chapter seven’s shameful defeat of the Israelites by the people of Ai to the victory in chapter eight; we must strive to learn some valuable lessons of how to let God turn our failures into victory. Let us look at 7 lessons we might learn.
Not Tonight
By Effie Darlene Barba
Into the deepest darkest night
Where evil lurks-hid from his sight
An Officer goes-prepared to fight
With all His strength and all His might
Praying to God, not tonight
He gently pulls His children near
Their smiles can lift his heart with cheer
He kisses boo-boos wipes their tears
And as He leaves for work He hears
Daddy, don’t go, not tonight
She kisses him, to work he goes
And all the time, too well she knows
That he must face such evil foes
Phone clutched tight, her eyes then close
Lord, don’t let it ring, not tonight
A mother awakens to whisper a prayer
Protect my son from sin’s dark lair
Your warrior of truth-just and fair
Endowed by you with virtues rare
He’s yours to call, please not tonight
Forgotten and paid a pauper’s wage
Media and public he must assuage
While calmly holding back the rage
When violent criminals do engage
Pleading to God, not tonight
These officers protecting you
They sacrifice more than you knew.
When will you value what they do
Or even stop to say, “Thank You”?
Shame on you, if not tonight
Officers often have less than a split second to make a decision. When they hesitate for even a split second it is their life they may be sacrificing as has been the case all too often. Maybe we need to walk in their shoes just for a moment to realize that too often they don’t have time to think. As Christians and as citizens, we are commanded to be subject to the rulers and authorities placed over us. The only exception would be when they tell us that we cannot pray or worship–even then, we are to continue with humility to pray and worship. If we are arrested and jailed for praying, we go peacefully. If we are killed for bowing before Christ; like Stephen, we die without violence. Short of that we are to obey the authorities.
Titus 3:1 (NIV)“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient”.
With so much pain, sorrow and struggles we need to take a moment to sing this song along with Aaron Keyes–Sovereign Over Us. Let the words of this song whisper to your heart and let it be filled with God’s Love, Joy, and Peace sustaining us in the midst of tears, chaos and pain. No, I don’t mean a phony smile and giddiness. I mean that steady deep abiding strength and peace that flows forth with the rivers of our tears.
New International Version(NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Victory’s Battle Cry—A Study in Joshua Part 10—Four Stumbling Blocks to Avoid
How often following a great victory given to us by God, do we as Christians find ourselves most vulnerable to a disastrous failure? The same was true of the children of Israel as we read chapter 7 of Joshua. I do urge that you go and read the chapter in its entirety. They had been victorious against the city of Jericho by God’s battle plan. They had been commanded not to keep anything from that city except the Gold and Silver were to be tithed 100% to God. God was the victory and God was to receive all the spoils. He was providing for the nation all they needed and this was important that they not desire the wrong things nor forget that it is truly all about God first. So, here they stood fresh upon their victory over Jericho and they are ready to continue on and take the next area. They fail and they lose the battle against Ai. Why? I propose that there are four main pitfalls that the Children of Israel fell into which caused them to fail in their initial battle against Ai.
picture courtesy of @istockphoto.com