God Speaks
A Case of Deception; a Miraculous Day; Kings and Cities Conquered According to God’s Command
Verse of the Day: [After Joshua had the Israelite commanders put their feet on the necks of the captured kings,] Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageuos. This is what the LORD will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.” (Joshua 10:25 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Joshua 9-11:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Joshua 9
1. God expects His people to ask Him to uncover the truth before they make a decision, not just rely on their own perceptions.
2. People who are fearful, like the Gibeonites, will often resort to deception.
Joshua 10
1. God created the solar system; therefore, He could delay the progress of the sun and moon at Joshua’s request.
2. People who maintain close fellowship with God as Joshua did can expect God to honor them with miracles as he was.
Joshua 11
1. God is the one who caused the people of Canaan to harden their hearts and fight the Israelites because He knew their wicked hearts.
2. Joshua led the Israelites to accomplish all that God had instructed them to do under Moses.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Joshua 9-11?
Dear Great and Awesome God, thank You for choosing me and allowing me to serve You. Thank You, Jesus, for dying on the cross to take away my sins, especially the sin of thinking that I can do things on my own. Only You see the truth behind the deceptions of my enemies. Please keep me close to You so that I can, too. Help me to see, understand, and obey the commands and principles You have put in the Bible. Help me to take time to be quiet and hear what the Holy Spirit is whispering in my heart and to obey it as well. In times of trouble or danger, give me the courage and strength that I need to keep doing what is right in the face of opposition. Give me other people with whom I can interact for our mutual encouragement. May we all give You the praise for the victories You grant. Thank You, O Sovereign LORD, that You are just, righteous, and all powerful. You are not capricious or uncaring, but You know people’s hearts and inner motives and deal with them accordingly. Please give me a clean heart, pure motives, and proper actions toward You and other people. Please calm my fears so that I can stand courageously against the evil I see around me. Help me to join with others in standing up against it. Help us to be faithful to carry out Your commands: may we do just as You have said. When You give us a victory, may we keep going until everything You have planned has been accomplished. Keep us resolute to do everything You have commanded. May we leave nothing undone. May we not compromise but show mercy only as You direct. May no evil survive to hinder Your work and the inheritance of Your people. Then may those You choose to bless have rest from both physical conflict and spiritual warfare. All for Your glory and our ultimate good, gracious LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Joshua 9-11? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will dialogue with the LORD God about the next decision I have to make and do whatever He says.
- I will confess to the LORD God times I have acted on my own and receive the forgiveness Jesus’ death and resurrection made available to me.
- I will pass on to others the words of encouragement the LORD has given me.
- I will ensure that I carry out all the instructions the LORD has given me precisely as He says and then give Him the credit He deserves for helping me.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.