New Level, New Devil
After gaining a ton of momentum in the previous victory from Gibeon, Joshua proceeds to take out one army after another in Joshua 10. However, with every new success comes fresh new and more difficult challenges. This time the kings of the Northern country come out against Joshua in an alliance and with more difficult opposition - chariots. The good news is, God wants His people getting stronger and more victorious, the bad news is, it will require greater obstacles in their future.
Joshua 11:4–5 (ESV) And they came out with all their troops, a great horde, in number like the sand that is on the seashore, with very many horses and chariots. 5 And all these kings joined their forces and came and encamped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.
Isn't this just like life? We start to really roll and think we've made it only to face another challenge we've never experienced before. This time, instead of God drowning chariots in the Red Sea, He's going to have His people face them in battle.
It has been often said, "At every level, there's another devil." Here in Joshua 11, there's a new devil at Joshua's new level. And what I love about this book of Joshua is how God keeps speaking to him, telling him once again, do NOT be afraid!
Joshua 11:6 (ESV) And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.”
I have found my own life they just when I think I've arrived, a new challenge is waiting just around the corner for me. But what I have to realize in those moments is that God will speak to me if I take the time to listen to Him. Joshua did not throw his hands in the air and fall to pieces. He considered once again the word of God. He also got a fresh word from God. This time God comforted him with the news that the chariots and horses would be no match. He also got word that it would take ONE day to see it accomplished.
Can you imagine this? You would think a new challenge with greater difficulty facing them would take more time. But this is not how the Lord works. He can give you victories over greater challenges in less time than you could ever imagine. Josephus records this battle and mentions the size of the army. He wrote that the combined forces of the Canaanites numbered 300,000 foot soldiers, 100,000 cavalry, and 20,000 chariots. Wow. And now 24 hours would be all it took to take them out.
I don't know what your challenge is right now. It may be something you never faced before. It's a new devil facing your next level. But God does not bring you to these challenges with the intent of defeat. Listen to His encouragement. Get into His Word. Let Him be the one whose voice speaks into your new season. It will be positive and hopeful as long as you're open to Him and obedient. God loves His people enough to let them face their challenges and grow stronger from them, never weaker.
Amen.
Joshua 11:4–5 (ESV) And they came out with all their troops, a great horde, in number like the sand that is on the seashore, with very many horses and chariots. 5 And all these kings joined their forces and came and encamped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.
Isn't this just like life? We start to really roll and think we've made it only to face another challenge we've never experienced before. This time, instead of God drowning chariots in the Red Sea, He's going to have His people face them in battle.
It has been often said, "At every level, there's another devil." Here in Joshua 11, there's a new devil at Joshua's new level. And what I love about this book of Joshua is how God keeps speaking to him, telling him once again, do NOT be afraid!
Joshua 11:6 (ESV) And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.”
I have found my own life they just when I think I've arrived, a new challenge is waiting just around the corner for me. But what I have to realize in those moments is that God will speak to me if I take the time to listen to Him. Joshua did not throw his hands in the air and fall to pieces. He considered once again the word of God. He also got a fresh word from God. This time God comforted him with the news that the chariots and horses would be no match. He also got word that it would take ONE day to see it accomplished.
Can you imagine this? You would think a new challenge with greater difficulty facing them would take more time. But this is not how the Lord works. He can give you victories over greater challenges in less time than you could ever imagine. Josephus records this battle and mentions the size of the army. He wrote that the combined forces of the Canaanites numbered 300,000 foot soldiers, 100,000 cavalry, and 20,000 chariots. Wow. And now 24 hours would be all it took to take them out.
I don't know what your challenge is right now. It may be something you never faced before. It's a new devil facing your next level. But God does not bring you to these challenges with the intent of defeat. Listen to His encouragement. Get into His Word. Let Him be the one whose voice speaks into your new season. It will be positive and hopeful as long as you're open to Him and obedient. God loves His people enough to let them face their challenges and grow stronger from them, never weaker.
Amen.
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