PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Joshua 9-10
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.” (Joshua 10:13)
It is not totally clear what happened on this day; the Hebrew is not fully clear.
Omens in the sky were often looked to for support by the peoples of those times.
I am not sure what happened exactly, but it was definitely a sign in the sky.
Like the star over Bethlehem, or the shadow of the sun for Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:8-11).
Whatever happened on this day, it was a momentous omen for the Israelites.
For me it doesn’t need to be miraculous (contrary to laws of nature) to be momentous.
Any great victory would be seen as God’s dramatic intervention.
Psalm 18 is another example of God’s dramatic presence and power in battle.
“Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy, with great bolts of lightning he routed them.” (Psalm 18:12-14)
All creation ‘groans’ with God for the victory of God’s children (Romans 8:19-22).
The earth itself protects the woman from the serpent (Revelation 12:15-16)
What we do know for sure is that all creation supports God in His kingdom purpose.
PRAYER
Lord, though I do not look for omens like this, remind me that all creation works with You, and therefore with me as well!
When I am in step with God and seek his counsel through prayer – then I am blessed. When I go on my own, trust my own judgement, think I can do it myself – is when I’m in danger – I am deceived. With God, Joshua was blessed to have the day and his army’s strength endure- so that he could carry out the campaign that God had instructed him – and all the nations around seemed to know that it was Israel’s God’s intent to take their land (Gibeanite deception). Satan knows what the Gospel is doing and continues to do – he plots and deceives – he has no power but he can still influence humans to make choices that are anti-Gospel. Help me to stand – to stay in the light of Jesus – no matter what happens!
Today I live in the presence of the Lord as I do every day. I need to clothe myself with His armour. I need to talk with Him to live this day in His presence doing His will. Today I continue to walk in His ‘Sonshine’. His will be done and not mine. I need to listen to His voice, not my own. I need to live for Him always.
1. This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord has made,
that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice, we will rejoice
and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord has made.
2. Open to us, open to us
the gates of God,
the gates of God;
we will go in, we will go in
and praise the Lord, and praise the Lord.
Open to us the gates of God;
we will go in and praise the Lord.
Open to us, open to us
the gates of God.
3. You are our God, you are our God;
we will praise your name,
we will praise your name;
we will give thanks, we will give thanks
for your faithfulness, for your faithfulness.
You are our God; we will praise your name;
we will give thanks for your faithfulness.
You are our God, you are our God;
we will praise your name.