JULY 24, Joshua 11:6, 9

God ordered Joshua to “hough their horses and burn their chariots”. He wanted Joshua and the people of Israel to make lame all the well-trained horses by cutting their hamstrings, and to burn the powerful-looking chariots that the enemies left behind. What a waste! These must have cost lots of money to train and build. Surely Joshua could use some of them in his army. So, why did God command His people to destroy them?

God is supremely wise. He knows that if Joshua and the people have horses and chariots, they would grow to depend on them for strength. Very soon, they would not depend on God to fight for them and would not keep His commandments. That would be disastrous because they would fall into sin and would not have victories like they had at the battles of Jericho, Ai and Gibeon.

God knows how weak His people can be. So, in mercy He kept them from temptation by destroying the chariots and horses. Horses and chariots may be powerful but they can never beat the artillery from heaven. Hailstones killed more Amorites than the peoples’ swords did. God loves His people and He did not want them to put their trust in the wrong things and fail. He wants them to depend on Him because He is all powerful. Only God can give them success.

Likewise, for our own good, we must always be humble and depend on God like how Joshua did. Every success is given by God.

Do you sometimes wish you could do better in school? Do you secretly hope that even without studying, you would be able to score well? Of course! So why does God not allow that in your life? Well, if He does, you may depend on your ability rather than on Him.

Read Isaiah 31:1 for answers:

1. Israel was told not to trust in __________ and in __________ , but to look unto the Lord.

2. Where do you put your trust? ___________________________

Thought: I must trust in only God and not in my own ability.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, have mercy on me. Remove all temptations from me so that I will learn to depend on You only and nothing else. In Jesus’ name I pray – Amen.