Source: https://wordsforliving.org/2014/04/10/valuable-lessons-for-the-day-of-battle-the-book-of-joshua-106-14/
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 21:14:53+00:00

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“The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord” (Proverbs 21:31).
Chapter 10 opens with 5 of the kings of Canaan joining forces to attack Gibeon because they had made a peace treaty with the people of Israel. These 5 kings didn’t know it, but they were playing right into the hand of Joshua. Now, instead of having to pick them off one at a time, they came together and he was able to defeat them all together. If you remember our last study in this book, the Israelites had been tricked into making a peace treaty with the people of Gibeon. Now, it is time for Israel to make good on their promise to protect the Gibeonites. For Israel it is just another battle in the conquest of the Promised Land, but for us, it is a vivid picture of the Christian life.
You see, battles are a reality in the life of the child of God, but we never have to face them alone, Heb. 13:5; Matt. 28:20. In the day of battle, we have the promise of help from One Who is “an ever present help in a time of need“, Psa. 46:1. My duty this morning, as we consider chapters 10 and 11 of Joshua, is to remind you that our lives will be filled with battles. However, these battles are not really physical battles, neither are they battles with other people. Our battles are spiritual battles, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Eph 6:12. Therefore, our weapons must be spiritual as well. “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) ”2 Cor 10:4.
With that in mind, let’s join Joshua and the armies of Israel as they fight the good fight of faith. As we observe them in their day of battle, there are some very special lessons that we can learn that will help us when we face the day of battle. Allow me to share these thoughts with you as we preach for a while on Lessons For The Day Of Battle.
A. V. 8 He Gave His Peace – Notice the words in verse 8, “Fear them not!” God’s challenge to His people was for them not to fear the enemy. God was just reminding Joshua that He was still in control of the situation!
(Ill. May I remind you this morning that He is still in control? He is still on the throne and He is still the Prince of Peace. For those who will walk by faith and not by sight, the Lord still gives peace that passeth understanding, Phil. 4:7.
B. V. 8 He Gave His Promise – The Lord didn’t stop with just a word of encouragement, He also gave them the promise of absolute victory!
C. V. 9-14 He Gave His Power – In these verses, we see a mighty demonstration of the power of the Lord in the life of Israel! He moved in 2 ways.
2. V. 12-14 In The Heavens – Here we see the Lord perform the greatest miracle ever recorded in regard to the physical world. God stopped the sun in the heavens and extended the daylight hours for Joshua and his army to finish the battle.
(Ill. What does this mean for us? Well, there are times when the Lord will supernaturally intervene in your life and He will fight your battles for you. I have seen people healed of disease. I have seen drunks saved and sobered immediately by the power of God. I have seen drug addicts immediately released from the power of drugs and made clean. I have seen lives changed in miraculous ways by the supernatural intervention of God. I have seen the Lord move in response to the need of His child and move any mountain that needed to be moved to get them what they needed. That is our God!
Please understand, He doesn’t always move like that.
A. V. 16-18 We Must Control Our Enemy – Notice that these five kings tried to hide themselves in a cave. When they were discovered, Joshua ordered the cave to be sealed up, thus preventing the kings from escaping. This is a picture of control.
(Ill. It is important to note that part of the Fruit of the Spirit is “temperance“, Gal. 5:23. This word literally means “self-control“.
B. V. 22-25 We Must Confront Our Enemy – Notice that after the battle had been won, Joshua came back to that cave and brought these kings out and humiliated them by having his princes place their feet upon their necks. He confronted them openly and publicly pronounced the victory over them.
C. V. 26-27 We Must Conquer Our Enemy – In these verses, we see Joshua take a step that ensures the victory of these 5 kings. He puts them to death!
A. V. 28, 35 We Must Fight Daily – Please note that the battles Israel fought seemed to come day by day. Theirs was a life of battles!
B. 11:18 We Must Fight With Determination – This verse tells us that Joshua fought his battles for a long time. This tells me that this man had determination!

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