Joshua 9:1-2 "And it came to pass, when
all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys,
and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and
the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard
thereof; (2) That they gathered themselves together, to fight with
Joshua and with Israel, with one accord."
Recently we spoke of the Gibeonite and their cunning manner of deceiving the people of Israel. When I stop to think about the character traits of these other nations, I can better understand why the people of Gibeon wanted to live among the people of Israel rather than join forces with the other nations. Without going into individual meanings of names (which I love to study), I will just say that the intentions of these nations who gathered themselves with one accord did not have friendly intentions toward Israel. Taking the meanings of the names of the nations, their full intention was to humiliate the Israelites, cause division among Israel, and cause them to lay down in terror. Then they intended to trample on them until they completely destroyed the people of Israel. Aren't we all thankful that God had other intentions and as long as Israel trusted Him, they were delivered from their enemies.
These nations were with one accord; that is, they were completely united in their efforts to try to defeat the people of Israel (people of God). But as we look at the manner in which God dealt with His people, we can see that though the very powers of hell be united to defeat us, we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us and gave Himself for us. We have been given the victory through Christ Jesus, our Lord. We must never lose sight of that great truth.
In a sense, the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizites, and Jebusites live among us today. There is a united concerted effort just now to destroy the people of God. We must be united in Christ Jesus in order to defeat those who would seek to destroy us. We must stand strong in the power of the might of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We must put on the whole armour of God and if we do so, we will see the power of Christ in a mighty way even today. May God help us to stand in Christ.
Looking at the words of that beautiful song by Stuart Townsend....
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
Recently we spoke of the Gibeonite and their cunning manner of deceiving the people of Israel. When I stop to think about the character traits of these other nations, I can better understand why the people of Gibeon wanted to live among the people of Israel rather than join forces with the other nations. Without going into individual meanings of names (which I love to study), I will just say that the intentions of these nations who gathered themselves with one accord did not have friendly intentions toward Israel. Taking the meanings of the names of the nations, their full intention was to humiliate the Israelites, cause division among Israel, and cause them to lay down in terror. Then they intended to trample on them until they completely destroyed the people of Israel. Aren't we all thankful that God had other intentions and as long as Israel trusted Him, they were delivered from their enemies.
These nations were with one accord; that is, they were completely united in their efforts to try to defeat the people of Israel (people of God). But as we look at the manner in which God dealt with His people, we can see that though the very powers of hell be united to defeat us, we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us and gave Himself for us. We have been given the victory through Christ Jesus, our Lord. We must never lose sight of that great truth.
In a sense, the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizites, and Jebusites live among us today. There is a united concerted effort just now to destroy the people of God. We must be united in Christ Jesus in order to defeat those who would seek to destroy us. We must stand strong in the power of the might of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We must put on the whole armour of God and if we do so, we will see the power of Christ in a mighty way even today. May God help us to stand in Christ.
Looking at the words of that beautiful song by Stuart Townsend....
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand.