JULY 19, Joshua 10:1-5

In ancient times, the weaker nations were forced to pay tributes of money and goods to the more powerful nations. The weaker would have to submit because the more powerful would have more soldiers and more weapons. They were always bigger in numbers and would normally win if there was a battle.

We would expect it to happen that way when the five Amorite kings joined forces to fight against Gibeon. It all began when the king of Jerusalem knew about the treaty made between Gibeon and Israel. The nations had heard of the power of the God of Israel and the conquest of Ai. Gibeon was already “a royal city” with other cities under her and had with an army of good fighters. Afraid of Gibeon’s growing strength, the king of Jerusalem gathered the kings of Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon of the south to form an alliance to fight Gibeon. Gibeon sought the help of Joshua who led an army to protect her. Israel had to honour their peace treaty and go to the rescue of Gibeon.

Though outnumbered, God gave assurance of victory for Israel and her ally. The majority did not win. The minority won because the Lord God was fighting for them. No matter how powerful your enemy is, victory is surely yours if the Lord is on your side!

          Fill in the blanks:

          1. The __ __ __ __ is on my side; I will not fear:
              what can man do unto me? (Psalm 118:6)

          2. What shall we then say to these things?
              If __ __ __ be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

          3. So that we may boldly say, The __ __ __ __ is my helper,
              and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. (Hebrews 13:6)

Thought: When we take a stand for God, we do not have to be afraid even if we are outnumbered!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me not to be overwhelmed by the unrighteous majority in the world today, but to have the assurance of spiritual victory by Your power. In Jesus’ name I pray – Amen.