What role does faith play in experiencing victories like in Joshua 10:10? Scripture Spotlight: Joshua 10:10 “And the LORD threw them into confusion before Israel; He defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them along the road that goes up to Beth-horon, and struck them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah.” Faith’s Place in the Battle Plan • Faith is the confidence that God will act exactly as He has promised (Hebrews 11:1). • Israel marched all night (Joshua 10:9) because they believed God’s word from verse 8: “Do not be afraid of them, for I have delivered them into your hand”. • Their faith opened the way for God to intervene supernaturally—confusing the enemy and extending the daylight (Joshua 10:12-13). Faith That Initiates Obedience • Joshua did not wait for perfect conditions; faith moved him to immediate action. • Obedience born of faith is often the trigger for victory (James 2:22). • Similar pattern: the walls of Jericho fell “by faith” after Israel marched as God commanded (Hebrews 11:30). Faith That Trusts God’s Intervention • The Israelites fought, yet the decisive blows came from the Lord (giant hailstones, v. 11). • Faith acknowledges human responsibility while depending on divine power (Proverbs 21:31; 2 Chronicles 20:15). • When believers wield the “shield of faith” (Ephesians 6:16), God Himself extinguishes the enemy’s flaming arrows. Faith That Perseveres Beyond the Moment • Joshua pursued the fleeing armies until complete victory—faith keeps going until the promise is fully realized (Galatians 6:9). • God’s earlier assurance (“I have delivered them…”) sustained Israel’s endurance. • Our victories, too, require ongoing trust, not a one-time burst of confidence (Hebrews 10:35-36). Living It Today • Stand on God’s written promises; faith grows as His Word fills the heart (Romans 10:17). • Take the next step of obedience even when resources look limited—God specializes in turning weakness into triumph (2 Corinthians 12:9). • Expect God to work in ways beyond human strategy; victories that glorify Him are often unmistakably supernatural (1 Samuel 17:47). • Celebrate each breakthrough, remembering that “everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.” (1 John 5:4) By trusting God’s promises, stepping out obediently, and persevering in reliance on His power, believers experience the same kind of God-given victories witnessed in Joshua 10:10. |