Joshua’s Answered Prayer! | Genesis 18:14, Joshua 10:1-27, Jeremiah 29:11, Exodus 14:14

Nothing is too hard for our God. He can do anything. He is faithful if he is telling you to wait, like he’s telling me. It’s for a reason. Sometimes God takes the scenic route to the solution or end result, but along the way, you and I get to know the Waymaker, and I praise him today, even in the midst of my waiting. Today, we’re going to watch as God answers an incredible prayer in the book of Joshua. Let’s get started!

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Transcription:

Got two questions for you as we begin our time together today, and I’m so glad you’re here. The first one is, what’s your heart? What’s that hard thing in your life that you’re grappling with? You trust in the Lord and you give it to ’em, and then sometimes you pull it back. Does that sound familiar for me? I’m waiting on him to answer a prayer for somebody I love and I trust in his perfect timing, but sometimes I confess, I wish he worked a little more quickly. Okay, second question. It’s straight out of Genesis chapter 18, verse 14.

Is anything too hard for the Lord?

It’s a rhetorical question because the answer is absolutely not. Nothing is too hard for our God. He can do anything. You can underline anything, put in italics, put the letters in bold. He is faithful if he is telling you to wait, like he’s telling me, it’s for a reason.

We know the plans God has for us.

As we read in Jeremiah chapter 29,

plans to prosper us and not to harm us. Plans to give us hope and a future.

Now, sometimes God takes the scenic route, but along the way, you and I get to know the waymaker. And I praise him today, even in the midst of my waiting. Today, we’re going to watch as God answers an incredible prayer in the book of Joshua, chapter 10. Now, Joshua took over after Moses. Moses died. Joshua became the leader of the Israelites, and he led them to the Promised Land, but there were many enemies in their way. And Joshua and the Israelites were busy defeating them with God’s assistance. So, join me, Joshua chapter 10. Beginning in verse one.

Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had captured and completely destroyed Ai,

The city.

and killed its king just as he had destroyed the town of Jericho.

You might remember that little song from Sunday school. Joshua won the Battle of Jericho and the walls came tumbling down.

and killed its king. He also learned that the Gibeonites had made peace with Israel and were now their allies. He and his people became very afraid when they heard all this because Gibeon was a large town as large as the royal cities and larger than Ai. And the Gibeonite night men were strong warriors. So King Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem sent messengers to several other kings.

Okay, so these kings are mad at any country that is siding with Israel. They think that together they’ll defeat God’s people. We’re going to learn their names. Now, here in verse three,

Hoham of Hebron, Piram of Jarmuth, Japhia of Lachish, and Debir of Eglon. Come and help me destroy Gibeon, he urged them, for they have made peace with Joshua and the people of Israel. So these five Amorite kings combined their armies for a united attack. They moved all their troops into place and attacked Gibeon. The men of Gibeon quickly sent messengers to Joshua at his camp in Gilgal. Don’t abandon your servants now, they pleaded. Come at once, save us. Help us. For all the amorite kings who live in the hill country have joined forces to attack us.

Have you ever felt like that? Like people were coming together to attack you? God sees that and he will act. I’ve seen him do it in my own life. He is so faithful. Okay, verse seven now.

So Joshua and his entire army, including his best warriors, left Gilgal and set out for Gibeon. Do not be afraid of them, the Lord said to Joshua, for I have given you victory over them. Not a single one of them will be able to stand up to you.

Think of how relieved Joshua must have felt in that moment. Yes, he was a mighty warrior in God’s army, but still it had to be terrifying knowing that that many countries were ganging up on you. Okay, verse nine now.

Joshua traveled all night from Gilgal and took the Amorite armies by surprise. The Lord threw them into a panic, and the Israelites slaughtered great numbers of them at Gibeon. Then the Israelites chased the enemy along the road to Beth-horon, killing them all along the way to Azekah and Makkedah. As the Ammorites retreated down the road from Beth Horan, the Lord destroyed them with a terrible hailstorm from heaven that continued until they reached Azekah. The hail killed more of the enemy than the Israelites killed with the sword. On the day, the Lord gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the Lord in front of all the people of Israel. He said, Let the sun stand still over Gibeon and the moon over the valley of Aijalon. So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies. Is this event not recorded in the Book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the day and it did not set as on a normal day. There has never been a day like this one before or since, when the Lord answered such a prayer. Surely the Lord fought for Israel that day!

Wow. What’s even more incredible than the story you and I just read is that he fights for you just like that. We’re talking about the same God that was with Joshua, who made him strong and courageous, is fighting for you, and making you strong and courageous. In Exodus 14:14, you and I, read,

The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.

He’s not sending an emissary or an ambassador on his behalf. There’s no pinch hitter. The Lord himself will fight for you. Your job, and my job is to stay calm and receive his peace in the middle of it, because as we began, is anything too hard for the Lord? And the answer is no. Ah, don’t you love him? All right. Until next time. You are loved.

Thank you so much for listening to the Bible for Busy People. If you need prayer or you’re ready to go a little deeper in your faith, we’ve posted some resources for you in our show notes. We’d love for you to share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review. It helps us reach even more people with the hope of Jesus. This podcast is part of Purposely, a podcast network designed with practical podcasts to help you find and live in God’s purpose for your life.

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