What can we learn about obedience to God from Joshua's victories? The Verse in Focus “And all these kings and their land Joshua captured at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.” Victory Hinges on Obedience • “Because” links triumph directly to the Lord’s intervention, which came in response to Joshua’s steady obedience. • Earlier, God had said, “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do all the law…” (Joshua 1:7–8). Joshua did exactly that, and the victories flowed. • The pattern is consistent with Deuteronomy 28:1–2, where the Lord promises sweeping blessing “if you fully obey.” Marks of Joshua-Style Obedience • Complete: Joshua pursued every enemy city; partial compliance was not on the table. • Immediate: Each campaign followed promptly upon God’s directive (Joshua 10:9, 11:7). • God-centered: Joshua always gave credit back to the Lord (Joshua 10:25, 10:42). • Courageous: Obedience meant charging fortified cities, trusting God would level defenses (Joshua 10:8–11). Supporting Verses that Echo the Lesson • 1 Samuel 15:22 — “To obey is better than sacrifice.” • Psalm 44:3 — Israel’s victories came “not by their sword… but by Your right hand.” • John 14:15 — Jesus links love to obedience: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” • James 1:25 — The “perfect law of freedom” brings blessing to the doer, not the hearer only. Practical Takeaways for Today • Read Scripture with the intent to act on it, not just gather facts. • Obey promptly; delayed obedience often morphs into disobedience. • Expect God’s enabling power when you step out in faith; He still fights for His people. • Keep giving God the credit; obedience that leads to success can tempt us to self-congratulation. Summary Joshua’s sweeping victories underscore a timeless truth: wholehearted, immediate, God-honoring obedience unlocks divine intervention and blessing. The same Lord who fought for Joshua delights to work through every believer who takes Him at His word and obeys without reservation. |
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