Home Joshua Ch. 10. *Sun Stand Still*

T. Austin Sparks - Messages.

Joshua ch. 10: Fight of Faith. | Print |

 

            Joshua Chapter 10.

 

                  

 

Battle Ground of Great Purpose. Vs. 1-3.

 

The greater the progress in the spiritual battle against all the opposition of our flesh the greater is our advance in the eternal and mighty purposes of God. Israel had advanced on to the very ground of the future dwelling place of God. This is the first mention of the city of Jerusalem; the city that the Lord was going to choose to place his Name there! God's dwelling place can only be secured by the mighty power of God and such was the glorious work of the Lord among the people as the sun stood still for them in this critical battle and victory of faith. The Lord so quicken us in his purposes and cause all the natural to stand still!

 

 

Warefare Vs. 5.

 

This chapter is one of GREAT GAINS if the people are strong.The Lord's promise is to       "divide the spoil with the strong" [Isaiah 53:12.] Why would Jesus divide the spoil with us? The answer is in the following phrase ... "because he poured out his soul unto the death". Jesus is all out for you. When a person pours out their soul they are giving their entire being and all their desire!! And he did it to the death - What a New Testament in his blood! What a Saviour!      Ephesians 6:10 (KJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

 

 

Joshua and the People Ascended. Vs. 7.

 

* There is no doubt that Israel is experiencing the full re-occurrence of the same power that ushered them through the river Jordan and in that power they ascended up in victory over Jericho -     "th e people shall ascend up every man straight before him." [Joshua 6:5.] Every believer has "Ascended"    [Ephesians 2:6.]:with Christ as the people did with Joshua and victory over our Jericho's is only possible in the resurrection ascension Life of our Lord Jesus Christ. The people here in ascended mode, truly "fought from Heaven" [Judges 5:20.]

 

 

Fear them not. Vs. 8.

 

* The Gibeonites said "all the Kings are against us". The text says "all their host"; it can appear sometimes like that in the spiritual war that "all is against us" but the Lord said that "no man would be able to stand before them" [vs.8.] We can boldly say as Paul said -    "I will not fear what man shall do unto me". [Hebrews 13:6.] The Lord was for Israel as we can also know    "if God be for us who can be against us" [Romans 8:31.]

 

 

Cast it up and He will Cast it Down. Vs.11.

 

* Like David we need to be encouraged that the Lord hears us (Psalm 40:1.) and we can cast as Peter said ...    "ALL our cares upon Him" [1 Peter 5:7.] David in Psalm 55 all of a sudden declares (as though the Lord just broke through to him in the midst of his prayer)     22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: As we cast all up to the Lord, he will cast down all the powers against us as he did for Israel. Cast it up and get LIFTED UP!

 

 

Speak to the Lord. Vs 12.

 

Hosea 14:2 (KJV)    Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. How easy it is to go through long stretches of time, even days, with prayers that are on the run and virtually handled as "thoughts" waved towards the Lord instead of on our knees and words coming out of our mouth. Make Prayer definite and then we can expect definite answers. Speak to the Lord!  Joshua spoke to the Lord, and with what results!

 

 

"Sun Stand Still". Vs 12.

 

Joshua spoke to the Lord and in that communication he spoke to the issue itself in the power of the Lord's presence! It can be ventured that as believers we also before the Lord can address directly any issue with his authority as the Lord has also said in another place.    [Matthew 17:20.] The sun wasn't the only thing that stood still on that day, the member which is full of deadly poison was also brought to a halt!    [Vs 21. ref. James 3:8.] The Lord hide us in his "Pavilion from the strife of tongues" and the holocaust of damage it does. [Psalm 31:20.]

 

 

The Lord will Do - But Fight! Vs.25.

 

 

* We should say constantly to ourselves ... "Don't stand back like a woosey, fight, fight, fight!    Fight of Faith [1 Timothy 6:12.] Fight a good fight to the finish [2 Timothy 4:7.] Fight through afflictions [Hebrews 10:32.] Fight and turn to flight the enemy. [Hebrews 11:34.] We wrestle not against flesh and blood but hidden powers of darkness. It is the Lord who will overthrow but our stance should be one of "fight". Stand with the armour on and faith in the Lord.

 

The Lord Fought for Israel. Vs. 42.

 

* The Lord does not cease to fight for us,"he ever liveth to make intercession for us" [Hebrews 7:25.] But when we are ourselves a "rescue project" then the project of entering into the "spiritual land of plenty" is on hold as Israel found, that because of sin their forward move was halted with considerable pain. Praise the Lord that he fights for us as we read with Jehoshaphat, He was told to "set" himself and this is the "fight position" of faith. The forces against us are too strong and always our "fight" is the "fight of faith" and the Battle is the Lord's. [2 Chron. 20:17.]

 

 

Left None Remaining! Vs. 37,39,40.

 

Joshua left none remaining; there was no opposing life left among them. In Jesus our old man has been totally "crucified with Christ" there is nothing remaining of the old you in Christ. Outside of Christ "the old man" (Adamic sinful nature) exists and he is propped up in the realm of the flesh, and can be denoted through the body. Praise the Lord we can put him off because he is ruled out of any inheritance in the Land of Glory. Take courage and continue to    "lay aside every weight and the sin which does so easily beset and look to Jesus" for onward blessing. [Hebrews 12:1-2.]

 

Jesus is reaching for You.

God Bless.