Introduction

Good morning, family! Today, we're diving headfirst into the book of Joshua, chapters 5 through 11. We're going to be talking about some heavy stuff - God's promises, our battles, strategies from the Almighty, and the consequences of compromise and pride.

As we navigate through these topics, I'm reminded of a quote from A.W. Tozer, "God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity that we plan only the things we can do by ourselves." This rings especially true as we delve into these chapters of Joshua, where we see God doing the impossible for His faithful followers.

We’re going to be talking about a lot of different passages in Joshua today. Let’s start the morning off with Joshua 11:6-9:

"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.” So Joshua and all his warriors came suddenly against them by the waters of Merom and fell upon them. And the Lord gave them into the hand of Israel, who struck them and chased them as far as Great Sidon and Misrephoth-maim, and eastward as far as the Valley of Mizpeh. And they struck them until he left none remaining. And Joshua did to them just as the Lord said to him: he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire." (ESV)

Feeling the weight of this? Good, me too. Let's bow our heads and open our hearts to the Lord as we start this journey together.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together in this place today. We ask that You open our hearts and minds and prepare us to receive Your Word. Guide us as we explore the truths within the book of Joshua, and help us apply them in our lives. Grant us the wisdom to understand Your promises, to fight our battles with Your strategies, and to acknowledge the consequences of compromise and pride. We ask this in Your Holy name, Amen.

Alright, let’s dive in!

God's Promises and Our Battles

In the book of Joshua, we see a clear and powerful demonstration of God's promises and how they intersect with the battles we face in our lives.

Not just wishful thinking or words spoken into the wind: They are solid, unshakeable truths that stand the test of time. In Joshua 11:6, God promises Joshua that He will hand over their enemies to them. This was not a vague or uncertain promise. It was specific, detailed, and time-bound. God said, "Tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel." This level of specificity underscores the reliability and certainty of God's promises.

Not just for the easy times in life: They also hold true in the midst of our battles. The Israelites were not in a time of peace or comfort. They were at war. They were facing real, tangible threats. Yet, in the midst of this, God's promise stood firm. This teaches us that no matter what battles we are facing - whether they be physical, emotional, or spiritual - God's promises remain unchanging. His promises are not dependent on our circumstances, but rather, they are rooted in His unchanging character.

They’re active and powerful: In the battle that the Israelites faced, God did not just promise them victory, He actively brought it about. He did not sit back and watch as the Israelites fought. Instead, He was in the thick of the battle with them, guiding them, strengthening them, and ultimately delivering the victory into their hands. This shows us that God's promises are not just about what He will give us, but also about what He will do for us and through us.

Don’t absolve us of responsibility: In the battle, Joshua and the Israelites had to act. They had to fight. They had to follow God's instructions. God's promise of victory did not mean that they could sit back and do nothing. Instead, it meant that they could fight with confidence, knowing that the outcome was already secured. This teaches us that while we can trust in God's promises, we also have a role to play in seeing them fulfilled.

His glory: In the battle, the victory was not just for the Israelites' benefit. It was also for God's glory. It was a demonstration of His power, His faithfulness, and His sovereignty. This reminds us that while God's promises are for our good, they are ultimately for His glory.

Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about how God's promises have intersected with a battle in your life. How did this affect your life and faith? This could also be a story about someone you know.

Strategies from God

The battles that Joshua and the Israelites faced were not won by human strength or cunning, but by the divine strategies given by God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO