Saturday, March 26, 2016

Do Not Be Afraid! – Joshua 10


“2b And the Gibeonite men were strong warriors. 3 So King…  of Jerusalem sent messengers to several other kings… 4 “Come and help me these five Amorite kings combined their armies for a united attack. They moved all their troops into place and attacked Gibeon. 6 The men of Gibeon quickly sent messengers to Joshua… “Don’t abandon your servants now!” they pleaded. “Come at once! Save us! Help us!... 7 So Joshua and his entire army, including his best warriors, left Gilgal and set out for Gibeon. 8 “Do not be afraid of them,” the Lord said to Joshua, “for I have given you victory over them. Not a single one of them will be able to stand up to you.” 9 Joshua traveled all night from Gilgal and took the Amorite armies by surprise. 10 The Lord threw them into a panic, and the Israelites slaughtered great numbers of them at Gibeon. Then the Israelites chased the enemy along the road to Beth-horon, killing them all along the way to Azekah and Makkedah. 11 As the Amorites retreated down the road from Beth-horon, the Lord destroyed them with a terrible hailstorm from heaven that continued until they reached Azekah. The hail killed more of the enemy than the Israelites killed with the sword. 12 On the day the Lord gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the Lord in front of all the people of Israel. He said, “Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.” 13 So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies.”


The immediate reaction when news come in, especially “bad news” is let our minds run in fear.  Facing the unknown and the “what if’s” can be terrifying.  We cannot allow our thoughts to start cooking in the stove of our mind, and on hi; this could become a consuming fire that is not good for us but for those around us as well.

The men of Gibeon in spite of being strong warriors they got afraid because all the Amorite kings had joined forces to attack them, and he either knew or at least suspected he was going to be annihilated.  I’m not sure if you ever been in a situation where you feel if you do not make that call at this moment, if you he/she do not shows up now, or if you do not get in the mail that answer that you need at the precise moment, is like a rush of desperation it’s at about to happen. Have you? It’s a terrible feeling! You start getting shortness of breath, your muscles get stiff or start to shake all over, you start to sweat, and the stomach is rumbling not of hunger by the way, but of fear, this anxiety episode has been created due to that fear. Fear to the unknown, of losing life, mind, job, health, a loved one… you name it!

My friends, we can’t allow Satan to get a grip of our hearts thru fear, it could be catastrophic!  Fear, insecurities and doubt, they’re all related and in excessive amounts all lead ultimately to panic.  In the Garden of Eden, Eve was tempted and immediately doubt arouse and troubled her, clouding her mind to the point that she fell for it, and then in her fear kicked in mixed with the reality that she was the only one that sinned, she share the fruit.  At the end, we all know what happened, humanity got marked for eternity! And that happens when we allow fear to get a hold, a grip on us; the dent that it makes, although might not be physically seen, could be a damaging permanent mark.

In Joshua 10, Gibeon’s men made that desperate called to Joshua, who immediately inquired The Lord what to do about it?  The Lord encouraged Joshua with “Do not be afraid of them, for I have given you victory over them. Not a single one of them will be able to stand up to you.”

How many times when you have no clue about what to do, choose to do like Joshua?! That’s the point here today; we ought to inquire to God about what to do and when to do things! When we do; the outcome of the situation presented we know is been ordained by God; and we know that at the end will benefit us. When you know that you know that you know, that God told you to do something, and you did as HE indicated you to, HIM as a responsible party if you will, HE will respond on your behalf. And when Satan comes around with one of his lies, you can confidently ignore him for you follow God’s plan.  Is like telling a girl, you are a boy; hello… if she has all the girl parts, guess what, no matter who says what, she’s a girl! 

When you create a paper plane, nobody has the right to argue with you about the things it has or not for you have the certainty of its components because you created, right? It is the same principle, Satan can try to lie at you but when God says:  “Be not Afraid, I got your back!” you have to be sure He’s got your back! AMEN!!!? Choose to believe GOD, ALL THE TIME!!! If you have a doubt, present Him with a suggestion for HIM to confirm to you, and HE WILL!!!  He LOVES for us to inquire Him about the way to go about things in life, so HE will answer you.  I challenge you to try it; then share with the world the confirmation God has given you, and remember BE NOT AFRAID for “If God is for us, who can be against us?[1] HE CAN AND WILL DO THE IMPOSSIBLE for you!!![2]

I pray you choose to believe in God, from this day and on, like never before! That the next time you be afraid or puzzle when taking a decision you choose to suggest God for a confirmation, and be open to receive the needed answer; I pray that no doubt be stronger or greater than the love you have for God. “For God so loved the world that He GAVE His one and only Son, that whoever BELIEVES in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”[3]

If you do not have an established relationship with the Lord, just ask Him to forgive you of your sins, recognize that HE LOVED you so much as to send Jesus to die in the cross for your sins, and receive His forgiveness by living for Him, accepting HIM as the only Savior & Master of your life.   Find and join a church that studies the Bible, and be open to the new family of Christ; if you need me to help you find one closed by, inbox me a message.

Have a great day in the Lord; remember, I’m praying for you!





[1] Romans 8:31 NIV
[2] Joshua 10:11-12
[3] John 3:16 NIV

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