What is our response when the hard moments of life rise up? Do we choose fear or faith? In Joshua 10 we explore Joshua's choices and how Jesus makes influences those decisions.
Joshua 10:1-7
Scared
We fear ________________.
Come to me you who are easy and burdened, and I will give you rest. ~ Matthew 11:28
Fear is how you lose your life…a little bit at a time…What we give to fear, we take away from…faith. ~ Mitch Albom
We must not surrender to fear but place our faith in the author of life
Conspiracy
Psychologists tell us that the number-one way people deal with fear is avoidance. ~ Kyle Idleman
Jesus didn’t avoid or ignore the mess we found ourselves in. No, He jumped in with two feet and said, “Let me help.”
Your Word
We must honour our word.
Joshua didn’t keep his word because he was extraordinary, but because God was with him.
Fighting For us
Gathering his forces, Joshua and his men marched the 25 miles from gill to Gibeon under cover of darkness. It was a tiresome journey with an ascent of 4000 feet up steep and difficult terrain. There was no opportunity to rest. The army was fatigued and faced a powerful foe. Clearly, God must intervene or all would be lost. ~ Walvoord & Zuck
Things may be hard, things may seem impossible, but with Jesus, we can overcome.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ~ Romans 8:37
Pray…But
Prayer is important but we must be people of action
There’s a reason who the book of the Bible that talks about the first followers of Jesus is called the book of Acts and not the book of Idles.
Before he started he was assured of victory (8); but this did not make him slothful or careless. ~ F.B. Meyer
Just because we prayer; just because we believe God is leading, doesn’t mean we can be negligent or lazy.
We need Spiritual disciplines so we are ready and can rejuvenate.
Moves mountains and stills suns
It is not us who wins the victory. It’s not your goodness nor spiritual practices.
God wins the fight
Christ has won the battle against the enemy when He rose victoriously from the grave.
Monolatry
Important to remember we read the first few books of the Scriptures.
Monolatry = To worship one God without the denial of other Gods.
Why is this important? God is making a point
An important fact that should not be overlooked is that the sun and moon were principle deities among the Canaanites. At the prayer of Israel’s leader Canaan’s gods were compelled to obey. ~ Walvoord & Zuck
No other gods before the true God, Yahweh.
Application
- Live in faith, not fear
- Prayer to action
- Let God reign
next week – Joshua 20:1-6
Anchor Group Questions
Hangout Warming up to the topic
- As we begin to discuss the book of Joshua, what are some questions you have about it?
Hear Listen to God through Scripture
- Read Joshua 10:1-7
- What are some of your biggest fears?
- Is there something you have been avoiding?
- Read Joshua 10:8-15
- Where is your current fight?
- What is your testimony of how God “stilled a sun” for you?
- Monolatry. What are some of your little gods?
Huddle Make it personal and pray together
- What has God been saying to you through this week’s teaching? Talk about the next steps in your life and pray for each other.
- How can we be a safe place for others—a place to be known and loved?
