Nothing Shall Stand Against You

The story in chapter 10 however begins with the conflict of battle involving five Amorite kings who decided to attack Gibeon because they made a treaty with Israel.

The Gibeonites pleaded to Joshua:“Don’t abandon your servants now!” Come at once! Save us! Help us! For all the Amorite kings who live in the hill country have joined forces to attack us.”

Israel had to go to war because they made a treaty with the Gibeonites!

The Lord told Joshua not to be afraid because not one of them will be able to withstand Israel.

The Lord helped Joshua win the battle by throwing the enemy into confusion.

The goal in this message is to make us understand that we all face battles of different kinds.

Principles we get from Joshua 10:

1. Be confident that God is with you.

A. The most common lie that Satan uses to instill fear into us is that God is far away or absent from our presence

B. Realize God is on your side.

Joshua 10:14 “The LORD heeded the voice of a man; for the LORD fought for Israel”

C. In Chapter 10, Joshua and his army defeated the 12 city-states. Why they won in the battle? Because God is with them.

Romans 8:31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

Psalms 23:4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

D. Challenge:I want you to understand that you are not alone, God knows what the enemy is trying to do, and he will not leave you nor forsake you.

2. We should face our struggles with faith.

A. Faith in God helps us overcome our obstacles.

Joshua 10:8 “Do not be afraid of them,” the Lord said to Joshua, “for I have given you victory over them. Not a single one of them will be able to stand up to you.”

B. Joshua chapter 10, emphasize a faith that is expressed in works.

C. Eventually your faith will be challenged, no matter how strong or how weak it is.

We are to live with confidence in God’s promises and power.

D. How to face struggles with faith?

a. Do not complain.

Be thankful.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

b. Rejoice.

When you experience storms, persecutions, sufferings, choose to put your trust in God.

Philippians 4:4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

c. Pray.

Joshua 10:12ff “Joshua prayed to the Lord in front of all the people of Israel.“

E. CHALLENGE:

If you are going through a severe trial today, choose to believe in God anyway.

If you believe God is strong then you should accept His trials as opportunities.

Whatever struggle you are facing, God has already given you the grace to overcome it!

His grace is sufficient!

3. We should not be afraid of the enemy. Vv. 16-43.

A. The enemy of faith is not disbelief. It's Fear.

This is a battle most of us face daily; FEAR of failure, FEAR of regret, FEAR of rejection.

B. God expects us to live strong and courageous lives.

Courage is needed to possess all God is willing to give.

C. We must possess courage to possess all God wants us to have.

Joshua 10:24 When they brought them out, Joshua told the commanders of his army, “Come and put your feet on the kings’ necks.” And they did as they were told.

Joshua 10:25 “Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged,” Joshua told his men. “Be strong and courageous, for the lord is going to do this to all of your enemies.”

i. They needed to find the courage to take what God had already promised to give them.

ii. Put their feet on their necks was an ancient custom for victorious kings who put their feet on the necks of the conquered enemy.

iii. This was to demonstrate that the victory was real and it was personal, that enemy was under their feet.

iv. This action exemplifies God’s promise to “make your enemies your footstool” (Ps. 110:1).

D. CHALLENGE:

You are not a loser. You are a winner!

Whatever battles you are in God is working behind the scenes.

God wants you to be overcomers.

4. Learn to hold on to God’s promises.

A. God spoke to Joshua and gave him a promise:

Joshua 10:8 “Do not be afraid of them,” the Lord said to Joshua, “for I have given you victory over them. Not a single one of them will be able to stand up to you.”