Expect The Attack

"Now King Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had captured Ai and completely destroyed it and that the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were living among them.  So, Adoni-zekek and his people were greatly alarmed because Gibeon was a large city like Ai, and all it's men were warriors... Therefore (he) sent word to the kings of Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon, saying, "Come up and help me. We will attack Gibeon, because they made peace with Joshua and the Israelites.  So, the five Amorite kings joined forces, advanced with all their armies, besieged Gibeon, and fought against it." Joshua 10:1-5

When the enemy heard that the children of Israel were conquering city after city, victoriously gaining ground in the land of Canaan, they were obligated to counter attack.  They were not going to lay down and die, without a fight.  The King of Jerusalem had heard about the walls of Jericho falling down and the complete distruction that had followed.  He had heard about the town of Ai and how Joshua had lured the men of the city out, leaving it unprotected, allowing his men in hiding to gain access to the Ai and destroy it.  He had heard that Gibeon had craftily managed to gain a treaty with Joshua and the children of Israel and he knew it was only a matter of time before Israel turned in his direction.  Hoping to gain enough military strength to stop their advance, Adoni-zedek commissions the kings in the surrounding areas to join with him to attack Gibeon.

What Adoni-zedek did not know is that the Amorites had been marked out for judgment by the Lord of heaven and earth.   Although they may have believed that they were battling against the children of Israel, their real enemy was God.  The vessel that he decided to use in this instance was inconsequential.  As the five Amorite kings planned and strategized for battle, they had no way of knowing that their efforts were useless in the face of their true enemy.

Four hundred years before God had promised Abraham this good and fertile land, but He said that Abraham's descendants would be slaves in Egypt for four generations because the iniquities of  the Amorites had not reached full measure.  The wickedness of the nations of Canaan had testified against them and their sins would be punished.  Their true enemy could not be defeated.

"The Lord said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid of them, for I have handed them over to you.  Not one of them can stand against you."  vs 8

"After this, Joshua struck down and executed (the five kings of the Amorites)." vs26

The five Amorite kings had joined forces to come out and fight against Joshua and the Children of Israel, not realizing that their strategy played right into God's plan.  The details were inconsequential, because God's purposes and plans would be fulfilled.  He had promised judgement on the people of Canaan for their abominable sins.  He had given the land to the Children of Israel and He had promised them that NO ONE would be able to stand against them.  The Lord would be fighting for them and they had nothing to fear.

When the enemy sees victory in your life expect attack.  When he sees you taking what's been promised to you, he's going to get riled up.  When you begin to walk with the Lord and by faith (confident assurance) claim what's rightfully yours, you need to know that he is going to strategize and plan an attack to keep you from gaining ground (the territory that's been in his hands)...  expect it, but don't be afraid.  Our enemy has already been defeated.  He has already been marked out for annihilation, because he's not really our enemy at all, his true adversary is God and he hasn't got a chance.  That's why he attacks the children and tries to discourage them, he knows he is already defeated.

Keep believing the truth of God...

"No weapon will be able to hurt you; you will have an answer for all who accuse you.  I will defend my servants and give them victory.' The Lord has spoken." Isaiah 54:17 GNT

"Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee." James 4:7

"When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots and an army larger than yours do not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt will fight for you." Deu. 20:1

We are the children of the Creator King of heaven.  He has plans and purposes that he is fulfilling in this world.  He has good works that He has prepared for us to do, to bring him glory on earth, to reveal Him to the nations and He will accomplish those things.  He is ABLE.  He is able to accomplish his work, but the enemy is going to try to stop YOU from being a part of what God is doing on earth.  His greatest weapon is fear and discouragement, but he is an impotent enemy, who can't really gain victory over us because we belong to God...  So, keep progressing.  Don't let him stop you from gaining that ground you have been promised, IF you take it by FAITH!

Be strong and courageous...  Your God is fighting for you!