The Lord gave them rest on every side….” Rest.  I am resting tonight as I type these words on a laptop.  My back is supported by pillows, and a heating pad is slowing warming the muscles in my chest. I would LOVE to have rest on every side.  Rest from myself and my own anxious thoughts.  The good news is that I do have rest if I am willing to do the one work that God requires: Trust Jesus. So what happens when I do trust him but the anxious thoughts remain? Just. Keep. Trusting. Be dependent.  Be joyful that … Continue reading Joshua 19-21: Rest All Around

More land divisions among the twelve tribes of Israel…some of the tribes had apparently been dragging their feet and were afraid of expanding their territories because the inhabitants had iron chariots.  But Joshua told them to forge ahead and assured them of their future victory despite the iron chariots. The word Joshua used, “yarash,” is translated “shall drive out” in both the NIV and the KJV.  The verb yarash is used in the imperfect tense in that particular sentence.  We don’t have an adequate English word to convey its meaning: to destroy, to dispossess, to bring to ruin, to disinherit. … Continue reading Joshua 16-18: Defeating the Iron Chariot

The Joshua Machine, working under the power of the Lord, went out and completely destroyed the people living in the Promised Land…except one group of people from Gibeon.  They heard tales of the Lord’s power and feared for their lives, so they resorted to trickery to save their lives.  They put on old, worn down clothes, packed moldy bread and old wineskins, and presented themselves to Joshua as travelers who came a long distance, seeking peace. Joshua and the Israelites examined their food — but they did not consult the Lord.  As a result, they ended up making a vow … Continue reading Joshua 9-11: Sly Deception

I could write about the walls of Jericho tumbling down or about the treachery of Achan, who sinned against God and led to the Israelites’ first defeat after they crossed into the Promised Land.  But I won’t. Instead, my mind turns towards the ambush that Joshua and the Lord brought against the town of Ai.  These people of Ai were confident because they had easily defeated a small group of Israelites who then ran away.  So when Joshua led a large company against them, they weren’t afraid to go out and pursue them in battle.  Little did they know that … Continue reading Joshua 5-8: Ambushed by God