In Joshua 10, we find a miraculous event in which God caused the sun to stand still upon Joshua’s request. Can you expect a miracle like that from God? If so, how?
All of us are faced with situations that seem impossible. There are times where our situations seem so hopeless that we understand that the only way we’re going to get through them is through a miraculous act of God. During these times, it’s important that we remember that the things that seem impossible to us are simplistic to our God.
Joshua found himself in a position where he needed a miracle in Joshua 10. The way that Joshua handled the situation in front of him paints a beautiful picture of how we can handle similar situations in our own lives. If you’ve found yourself asking, “Can God make the sun stand still for me,” let’s look at how Joshua handled his situation and see how we can do the same.
Motives Matter
Joshua 10:6-7 (ESV)
And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal saying, “Do not relax your hand from your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the hill country are gathered against us.” So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor.
The battle that Joshua was facing had nothing to do with his own fame. He wasn’t going to fight the kings of the Amorites in an effort to stroke his own ego. Instead, Joshua’s willingness to take his army into a battle was found in his willingness to help others. The people of Gilgal were allies of Israel and found themselves in a position where they were outnumbered and facing sure destruction. That’s why they sent for help. A willingness to help others was at the heart of Joshua’s decision and the prayer that we will look at in a moment.
When we are asking God for a miracle, our motives matter. For instance, if you find yourself asking God for a better job so you can give more and create a better life for your family, that’s a prayer that comes from a pure motive. If you ask God to make you rich so you can buy a bigger home and a faster car because you want to outdo others around you, that comes from an impure place. Motives matter when asking God for a miracle.
God Responds to Faith
Joshua 10:8-9 (ESV)
And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you.” So Joshua came upon them suddenly, having marched up all night from Gilgal.
Joshua didn’t go into the battle without first checking with God. However, when God told Joshua that He would provide the victory that he needed, Joshua marched. Why was that? Because Joshua had complete faith in God’s ability to do exactly what He said He would do.
In Matthew 13:58, we read a story about Jesus going into a village where there were many sick people. However, the Bible says that He didn’t heal the people. Why? Because of their unbelief. According to Matthew 17:20, we don’t have to have a huge amount of faith, but we do have to believe that God is able to do what we cannot.
When you’re asking God for something that seems impossible, examine yourself and make sure that you’re truly believing that He is able to do that. If not, confess that fact to God and ask Him to help remove your unbelief (Mark 9:23).
The Sweetness of Surrender
Joshua 10:11 (ESV)
And as they fled before Israel, while they were going down the ascent of Beth-horon, the Lord threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword.
God told Joshua to go help his allies and promised Joshua the victory. God even allowed Joshua and his men to be active participants in the battle, but did you catch the end of verse 11? “There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword.”
We live in a society that teaches that self-reliance is key. However, that’s not God’s design for His people. Yes, God told Joshua to go up to battle. Yes, God allowed Israel to fight in the war. However, God did more than Joshua and his troops were capable of doing.
When you’re faced with a situation that seems too big for you, rest in the fact that it is. No, you can’t do it on your own. Instead, surrender the battle into the hand of God and allow Him to fight for you. Surrender to God isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s an invitation for His strength to manifest in your life.
Finding the Boldness to Ask
Joshua 10:12-13
At that time Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, “Sun, stand still at Gibeon, and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.” And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day.
Joshua had a problem: the battle wasn’t over. God had promised him that all the soldiers in the opposing army would be killed, but the sun was setting and there were still soldiers. So, Joshua mustered up the courage to ask God for something impossible. He needed more daylight to finish the job, and the only way to get that was for the sun to stand still in the sky.
What did Joshua get for his willingness to ask God for what seemed impossible? Exactly what he asked for. God loves doing the impossible for His people. If He did what seemed impossible for Joshua, don’t you think He can do what seems impossible for you? If your request comes from a place of pure motives, is filled with faith, you surrender the situation to God and simply ask Him to do it, He can make the sun stand still for you.
A Closing Prayer:
God, You are aware of the situation that I’m facing and the fact that it seems impossible for me. You know my heart and the reason that I’m asking for this. God, I surrender it all to You. If there is any unbelief in my spirit, point it out to me and help me to remove it. I’m asking You for something that seems impossible, but I know that all things are possible for You. In Christ’s name I ask these things, Amen.