Monday August 17, 2020

Today’s Reading: Joshua 11:1-9

 The Lord handed them over to Israel, and they struck them down, pursuing them as far as Great Sidon and Misrephoth-maim, and to the east as far as the valley of Mizpeh. They struck them down, leaving no survivors. 

Joshua 11:1-8

Meditation: The LORD God is all we need to achieve what He sets before us. After hearing about the victories of the Israelites over nearby regions, the kings of the north set a plan of attack against them. Their combined armies are as numerous as the sands, and they are well-equipped with horses and chariots, the fiercest battle technology of the time. But even with odds stacked against Israel, God assures Joshua that His people do not need to fear, for God Himself will bring them victory. And by His faithfulness, God does for them what He says He will do.

When battling kings of the North, the Israelites do not have nearly as much manpower, nor weaponry. But they have more than enough in the LORD their God to be assured of victory. Through Israel’s victory, God proves to Israel that they have all they need in Him. In order to remind them of His great role in their success, God tells Israel to destroy all of the horses and chariots of the other nations. Instead of building their power by acquiring more military resources battle by battle, Israel will continue to depend on God and His power. God will deal with Israel’s enemies for them. Israel will only need to trust in God completely.

The LORD our God brings victory in the battles He leads us to fight. The victory that God brings for the Israelites proves that He is all they need in battle. Nothing can outweigh the power of God Who is for them. God takes them to battle to bring them through victorious. In all of the battles we face as His followers, we can also take heart knowing that God not only equips us to fight, but also fights for us Himself. The LORD is the One Who tips the scales of strength and power in His favor. He is the One Who brings victory.

Prayer: Almighty God, You are my strength and my shield. Thank You for the victory You have brought in my life, especially through Your Son Jesus Christ. I pray that You grant me boldness to live for Your Namesake, trusting in You completely to defend me against the enemy in all situations. In Jesus’ Precious Name I pray, AMEN.

Thru the Bible in a year (credit: Biblestudytools.com): Acts 11:1-18; Joshua 11-12; Job 26