Be Still Devotional: Day 7

Devotion for Tuesday February 18
Dr. Mark Edworthy | Missouri City Campus Pastor & CityRise Network Director

Scripture
Joshua 23:10
One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the LORD your God who fights for you, just as he promised you.

Devotional Thought
I remember hearing as a kid at church, “God and I make a majority.” As I began to study the Word on my own, I came to a more biblical conclusion: “God makes a majority!” He doesn’t need me or you. Yet, the beautiful story of Scripture is that He chooses to use me and you.

Today’s verse in Joshua sounds like a Rambo movie, but the emphasis is not upon “one man” but “the LORD your God who fights for you.” I remember when a bully from down the street came to my house. I got my older brother to open the door; the boy left and nothing bad happened. I fear that many of us open doors that should be left to the Lord.

Another angle for today’s reading is that oftentimes the solution is at hand, and yet we can miss the obvious. I recently heard of a frantic young lady in a supermarket parking lot whose door fob battery had died, and she couldn’t open her door. An older man observed her distress and asked if he could help. She explained her dilemma and showed him her key ring. He promptly took it (which held both the door fob and key), inserted the key, and opened the door. She never realized that the ignition key was also the door key.

Joshua is giving his farewell address as the nation of Israel settles into their new boundaries. He famously concludes his speech with the well-known words “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” The key for the godly person who sees the enemy flee is his steadfast relationship with the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Our victory comes not from our striving but from trusting.

Reflection Questions

• When we stand for God, do we trust that He will stand with us?
• Is our hope in our own strength, cleverness, or knowledge, or do we trust the One who promised to fight for us?

Suggested prayer/action step
Father, please remind us to look not at the enemy but to look to you as the Victor. Help us not to boast when the enemy flees but to realize that they are ultimately fleeing from you. Thank you for fighting our battles!