Joshua 10: 29-43

God is giving Joshua and the Israelites all the land and the kingdoms of the Southern cities. When God is with you like He was in this instance, it seems too easy and almost story-book since this was all done in one campaign. I guess there was no dissention, second-guessing and above all deviation from God's purpose by the Israelites. The same-page mentality gave them all that God had stated without incident. Verse42 really states it all.

In this season of Thanksgiving, I am truly blessed and pray that I too can be like-minded to the Spirit of God.

Now off to Florida and relaxation with my bride!

Joshua 10:16-28

What is recorded here is complete and utter anihilation of the opponents of the Lord and His people. How I wish that "leaders" would fight rather than hide behind others to do their dirty work and let them take the brunt of the fighting and even death. So many wasted lives due to poor leadership and pride. God will not be mocked. My prayers are for those who are serving this country whether here or abroad and will not be home with their families during this Thanksgiving season.

I want to especially lift up the Rodgers family and their baby, Hannah Joy. Her surgery went extremely well and she is recovering. This 2 month old has been loved over and cared for by the Ultimate Physician. I pray that they may be able to enjoy this Thanksgiving season a little better.

Joshua 10: 1-15 The sun stands still

Miracles upon miracles... the story behind the title was two fold. First, the 5 kings of the Amorites joined forces to combat the "threat" and the second was the response of Joshua to protect and honor the treaty that he had made with the Gibeonites. I can see both sides and what was done. I perhaps wondered why the kings didn't collectively or individually take the route of the Gibeonites and at least live. They saw the history that was laid before them and how no living person survived. They saw how few men died on the other side to secure their victory. While they don't know the reason the few died, they must have realized something greater than the Israelites were propelling them to victory. And the the hail storm which destroyed more men than the sword - that must have been a sight to behold.

The miracle of the hail storm was soon to be topped by the longest day ever recorded in that part of the world. Our God is truly a God of miracles.

I, at this time want to offer my prayers to the Tse family and especially for their beloved one who is facing severe recovery time from her car injury. May this bring them closer and nearer to You - the Ultimate Healer.

Joshua 9 - the Gibeonite deception or "bad breath is better than no breath at all"

The reputation and the intent of the Israelites continued to grow stronger by the day. If God is for us, who can be against us? I guess that is what drove the Gibeonites to deceive the leaders of Israel. They say the necessity is the mother of invention and the ruse they devised was second to none. The only catch was if the leaders were smart enough to ask the Lord if they were legit. To use an other cliche, you can't judge a book by its cover and the same with bread. They had nothing to lose and everything to gain so they pull out all of the stops, and bought their lives with their deception.

To say that all you will be is laborers for the rest of your lives is better than being totally eliminated. I guess it's a foreshadowing of Psalm 27. It is a small  price to pay it the grand scheme of things.

Also glad to see that my follower's sister is recovering from her car injury. I will pray for her this morning...

Joshua 8: 30-35

What a sight that must have been! A phase of the commands that was given to Moses was made reality. The destruction of Ai and its king was history and over. Possession of the Promised land was a reality. I could imagine the altar of uncut stones and Joshua carving the 10 Commandments on a stone in front of the entire nation.

I think the way Ch 8 ends is very fitting - the reading of the blessings and the curses that would come if true obediance is adhered to. I know that how we and especially myself need to be reminded that "we reap what we sow".

I want to acknowledge the rough season that Joe and Erika Rodgers are going through with the recent addition of Hannah in their lives. The child has never seen the outside of a hospital yet she fights and fights and fights. My prayers are with them all...

Joshua 8:1-29

Here God has laid out for Joshua a different plan to take the city and its possessions. This was a more conventional way of fighting but one that masterful. The city that was to be protected was left abandoned and destroyed. The men of Ai left their fortress to be vulnerable and destroyed. God gave the Israelites the plunder of the city as a reward for their obedience.

The lesson? If God is for you, who can be against you? Safety is not in your surroundings but in the One that protects and leads.

Joshua 7: 13-26 Consecration

I think the main point of the story comes from trust. Trust that God will provide everything that we need to be within the center of His will. Trust that He will protect us each day until He is ready to call us. Trust is easier said than done. I think that for me that I need to supplement what God gives me what I need because my wants are greater. The things that God wants me to have, He will allow for me to have. Many times I cross the bounds of wants versus needs and that is due to coveting and pride. I have witnessed those who can't even get their needs met and rarely even have a hope for a want to be met.

If God ever dealt with me according to my desires perhaps I would be penniless and destitute. The other point is holiness and obediance. Still a choice between needs versus wants.

As I enter the seasons of Thanksgiving and New Life, I want to be that vessel for others. Lord remind me of that each day.