God Over Exhaustion

Having made a peace treaty with Gibeon, Joshua is now called upon by them to fight their battles against 5 kings coming to attack them. This whole event is the result of a foolish decision to make a covenant with a people who misled God's people and now the chickens have come home to roost.

It is one of the most common experiences of those who fail to heed God: exhaustion. I can think of many of God's best men who were totally wiped out while trying to do things in their own efforts without talking to Him first. Consider Elijah who runs from Jezebel's threat. His words to the Lord are telling. He feels all alone and is upset with the results of his efforts. God says He has 7000 reserved and there are many more prophets lined up to do the work of God for God's people. Elijah became exhausted because Elijah failed to turn to God.

Through this war, Israel's strength is greatly tested.
Joshua 10:9–10 (ESV) So Joshua came upon them suddenly, having marched up all night from Gilgal. 10 And the LORD threw them into a panic before Israel, who struck them with a great blow at Gibeon and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah.

The path the army took was an uphill, twisted and rough 22-mile journey right into battle. How much the Israelites must have felt totally exhausted. Yet note the next event:
Joshua 10:11 (ESV) And as they fled before Israel, while they were going down the ascent of Beth-horon, the LORD threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword.

Without asking for it, Joshua gets a miraculous assist from heaven. Hailstones fall from heaven and take out the enemy. Upon seeing this, Joshua must have been emboldened to ask for the next thing:

Joshua 10:12 (ESV) At that time Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, “Sun, stand still at Gibeon, and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.”

Joshua asks for the impossible because he knows God is sovereign over all. He's read the scriptures Moses gave him. He knows God created the Sun. The Sun is the Lord's servant. So what Joshua prays for happens and the exhausted army fights an even longer day than normal and eradicates their enemies. 

It's a spiritual principle I think we fail to understand or at least let the devil convince us otherwise about. God will strengthen weary servants so that the battle can be won and the job done but you have to keep fighting through those tired times. He is the one who supplies you with STRENGTH.

After this conquest of five kings, Joshua brings them out and for an object lesson encourages the people in the Lord's strength before putting them to death. 

Joshua 10:25–26 (ESV) And Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.” 26 And afterward Joshua struck them and put them to death, and he hanged them on five trees. And they hung on the trees until evening.

You have to think Joshua wanted to show visibly the reality they experienced. They had just fought through weariness and God showed up big time. They had just over-extended themselves for a necessary fight and God gave them total victory. Don't let the devil convince you to "take it easy" or "slow things down" out of fear of burn out. Yes, sabbaticals and rests are necessary, but when life calls on you for a season to give more than you think you can - do it in the strength God provides. 

What happens in the rest of Joshua 10 is telling. They strike down several more nations, one after another, totally destroying them. And the nation experiences victory after victory to the glory of God because Israel demonstrates for us today - He has all the power you need. Just keep pushing forward in your fight of faith.