How can we trust God's protection like Israel in Joshua 10:2? Why Joshua 10:2 Matters “So he and his people were greatly afraid, because Gibeon was a large city, like one of the royal cities; it was larger than Ai, and all its men were warriors.” (Joshua 10:2) Israel had not even drawn a sword against Jerusalem’s king, yet terror already gripped him. That panic in the enemy’s camp shouts that God was shielding His people long before the battle began. What God’s Protection Looked Like in This Moment • The enemy’s morale collapsed before Israel arrived • Israel’s recent obedience (Jericho, Ai) set the stage for fresh protection • God turned a potential threat (Gibeon’s size and warriors) into an ally rather than an adversary Key Truths to Anchor Our Trust • Protection starts with God, not with our resources – “The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.” (Exodus 14:14) • God knows how to reverse fear: the dread meant for Israel fell on their enemies – “Terror and dread fall upon them; by the greatness of Your arm they are as still as a stone.” (Exodus 15:16) • The Lord’s shield is comprehensive – “The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is the shade on your right hand.” (Psalm 121:5) • If God is for us, no one can ultimately stand against us – “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) Practical Ways to Lean into the Same Protection 1. Remember past victories • Keep a written record of answered prayers and deliverances • Meditate on biblical accounts like Jericho and the Red Sea as personal history 2. Walk in obedience • Israel’s faithfulness to God’s commands preceded the fear in Joshua 10:2 • “Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in His ways.” (Psalm 128:1) 3. Trust God before the crisis peaks • Israel could not see inside the walls of Jerusalem, but God was already at work • “Before they call, I will answer; while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24) 4. Speak God’s promises aloud • Replace anxious thoughts with Scripture such as Psalm 91:2 – “I will say to the LORD, ‘You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” 5. Stand firm, not frantic • “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) • Israel did not rush to negotiate their safety; they rested in God’s covenant Living the Lesson Today • The same God who caused panic in pagan kings still guards His people now • He acts ahead of visible need, softening threats or turning them aside • Our role is to stay faithful, rehearse His promises, and watch Him work When God is your defender, even unseen forces begin to crumble long before you step onto the field. |
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