“Now Adoni-Zedek king of Jeresualm heard that Joshua had taken Ai and totally destroyed it, doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king, and that the people of Gibeon had made a treaty of peace with Israel and had become their allies.” (Joshua 10:1 NIV)
Turns out the Gibeonites who had deceitfully joined forces with the Israelites were good fighters and Gibeon was an important city. The king of Jerusalem (just up the road from Gibeon) had heard of the treaty and got real nervous: the ragtag group of refugees were gaining dangerous momentum. The Israelites held three major cities (Jericho, Ai and Gibeon) at the center of Canaan and would surely be knocking at Jerusalem’s gates shortly. King Adoni-Zedek wasn’t willing to wait for that day to risk defeat. He rallied his fellow kings and proposed that they put out the Israeli fire together, while it was still containable. The five kings agreed and brought their troops together to attack at Gibeon.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the battle line, we mustn’t forget that the Israelites had messed up royally. They’d struck a treaty with foreigners. Would God forgive their actions? Would He stand with them in battle if they honored their sworn commitments? To Isreal’s credit, they did. When the five kings came to Gibeon, Israel went out with them, ready to fight for the heart of the nation. And amazingly, God stood with His people once again, despite their failure to follow His commandments.
“So Joshua marched up from Gilgal with his entire army, including all the best fighting men. The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.”
(Joshua 10:8-7 NIV)
It occurs to me that God still stands with us even after we make a mistake. Pause a moment and let that roll around in your soul: God still stands with us even after we make a mistake.
What’s more, it reads like the Israelite’s failure with the Gibeonites somehow repositioned them for an even bigger Kingdom win. Translate that into our own stories: God is able to redeem our worst decisions for His glory. This is really good news because I don’t about you, but I fail often and after I do, I still require God’s strength and support – just as the Israelites did.
That day in Gibeon, God gave the five kings and their troops over to the Isrealites. He hurled hail down on the advancing enemy and the sun stood still to allow time and daylight to defeat the adversary completely. The way I read that? The Lord moves heaven and earth to fight for His people, even after their failure.
Let’s take this home. How have you failed and what are you facing as a result of those failures? Don’t be discouraged: confess your sin and ask God to join you on your battlefield. He’s ready and willing to make a mighty comeback in your life if you’ll only let Him.
“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”
(Psalm 37:23-24 NIV)
Lord; this word is so encouraging. We admit, today, to our failures. We confess our sins against You and we appeal for Your forgiveness. Please invade our battlefield with Your presence. Engage in the fight alongside us. Leverage our mistakes as only You can, for an even greater Kingdom victory. Amen.