Phenomenal And Overwhelming Victory

“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.” 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 Amorites retreated down the road from Beth-horon, 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 sky, 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! [Joshua 10.8-14]

How long do you suppose Joshua had to wait and spend listening to God to get this instruction, “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.”?

Do you suppose Joshua spent an enormous time in prayer seeking God? The context of the story does not indicate that to be so. In fact, it seems that after the Gibeonites pleaded with Joshua for help, that he responded without delay.

Look at this in Verse 7 (that precedes all the scripture above):

So Joshua and his entire army, including his best warriors, left Gilgal and set out for Gibeon. [Joshua 10.7]

It could be interpreted from this context that perhaps Joshua was certain enough of the LORD's will from previous exchanges with Him to head out immediately. Then, God assured Joshua on the way that he need not fear the Amorites who were poised to attack the Gibeonites.

In fact, God gave Joshua and Israel victory, but also got involved Himself with the weather (He sent a hailstorm that killed more Amorites than Israel killed by sword).

I am trying to understand what might be the lesson here... It seems that Joshua knew the LORD's will concerning Israel's enemies. However, in his response to execute God's will (as he already knew it), he was also listening along the way. The result was a phenomenal and overwhelming victory.

I think here is the lesson... phenomenal and overwhelming victory. As we stay focused on the LORD's battles (His will as opposed to our own), He will guide us and accomplish His victory. Our effort then should be to know God, His will (and therefore our commission), and simply execute His will. There is nothing else we are responsible to "figure out."

Jesus said it like this:

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. [Matthew 6.33]

Father, may I be found submitted to Your will and Your Kingdom without hesitation and without regard for my own life or sustenance!