How do you know you have a true friend?
It's not always obvious. But I think a true friend makes you laugh. True friends listen. They give you the advice you need to hear (even when it might not be the advice you want to hear). A true friend will help you move. If they're capable, they might help you put together IKEA furniture or paint. A true friend will pray with you and for you. If you need something...from a good hair stylist to a new job...a true friend will try to connect you to a solution. A true friend will encourage you. And a true friend has your back.
Don't you love it when you know someone has your back? What if that someone was God Himself?
Today's chapters described many (sometimes gory!) battles and regions that God's people conquered...only with His help. It's interesting to read about God's role in the process. Take a look:
God threw them into total confusion before Israel,
a major victory at Gibeon.
Israel chased them along the ridge to Beth Horon
and fought them all the way down to Azekah and Makkedah.
As they ran from the People of Israel, down from the Beth Horon ridge
and all the way to Azekah,
God pitched huge stones on them out of the sky and many died.
More died from the hailstones than the People of Israel killed with the sword.
The day God gave the Amorites up to Israel,
Joshua spoke to God, with all Israel listening:
"Stop, Sun, over Gibeon;
Halt, Moon, over Aijalon Valley."
And Sun stopped,
Moon stood stock still
Until he defeated his enemies... The sun stopped in its tracks in mid sky; just sat there all day.
There's never been a day like that before or since—
God took orders from a human voice!
Truly, God fought for Israel.
This passage sounds a bit brutal, but I think the premise that "God fought for Israel" is interesting. He didn't just leave His people on their own to fight in the middle of a desert. No--He actively participated in helping them along the way. He intervened and miraculously helped them defeat their enemies.
You and I may never be called by God to fight a real war, but every day we face our own battles. Maybe you're fighting against sin or fear. Perhaps you're fighting to find a new job. You might be having a tough time finishing your education. You may just have to fight temptation or apathy to keep your marriage strong.
Whatever you're fighting, don't fight alone--you don't have to. God can and will fight with you against things that are evil and/or against His will for your life. He wants you to win. So go ahead and ask for some help!
Tomorrow: Joshua 12-15
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