“…the LORD listened to a man…the LORD fought for Israel.” (Joshua 10:14)
This chapter is full of conflict, death, and an incredible miracle that pushes beyond believability into the bounds of faith. Those of you who’ve served in or alongside the military will read this chapter on a more literal level with deeper understanding. But all of us can relate to these themes. Who here has dealt with unasked-for conflict? Who here has lost others to the ravages of death, or had close calls ourselves? And who here has responded to the shocking story of Jesus Christ by believing it’s true – He’s true?
That’s what it comes down to, right? Trust that He will go through it all with us. Trust that when conflict seeks us out, we can respond on the natural level while also seeking God’s input. We shouldn’t just sit on the couch and wait for God to magic the problem away. Like Joshua and his army, we need call out to God in our stress and anxiety. Then we can get up, face that conflict, and put in the effort. The Israelites packed, marched, and fought for three days straight. They were all exhausted, and some of them likely died.
But this doesn’t mean God abandoned them. He heard them, strengthened them, gave them wisdom while their enemies were confused, caused the weather to cooperate, kept His covenant promise to respond in their time of need, and welcomed those who died into Heaven. After the battle, the Israelites were legitimately exhausted and grieving, but they were also bragging about how good God is and how much He did to support them. We don’t often see examples of being sorrowful and joyful at the same time.
If you’re struggling right now, tell God honestly how you feel; yes, He already knows, but it’s more relational when you enter into conversation with Him. Then turn to examples in the Scriptures and to your church ‘ohana for support. If you’re living in covenant with God, you can be perplexed but not despairing, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed, dying but preparing for literal resurrection (2 Cor. 4:8-10, Rom. 14:8, Gal. 2:20).
If you don’t know what to pray, try starting with Psalms 25 & 27: “The LORD is my light and my salvation, so why should I be afraid?”