Bold Decrees

“On the day that the Lord gave the men of Israel victory over the Amorites, Joshua spoke to the Lord. In the presence of the Israelites he said, “Sun, stand still over Gibeon; Moon, stop over Aijalon Valley.” The sun stood still and the moon did not move until the nation had conquered its enemies. This is written in The Book of Jashar. The sun stood still in the middle of the sky and did not go down for a whole day. Never before, and never since, has there been a day like it, when the Lord obeyed a human being. The Lord fought on Israel’s side!” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭10‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭

This was not a declaration made on Joshua’s behalf or even on the behalf of another person. It was made on behalf of the people of Gibeon and for the people of God and for them to be able to do His will. It was a declaration made in faith.

Joshua was fighting against the five armies of the Amorite kings for the people of Gibeon. The people of Gibeon were living peaceably with the Israelites. It wasn’t really the Israelites battle. They had already won the battle at Gibeon. They were chasing the armies down a mountain pass. God killed ,amu by hailstorms, more than the Israelite’s army had killed. The men had to be tired, they had marched all night to get to Gibeon for a surprise attack on the Amorite armies.

We don’t read of hours of prayer required before Joshua can make this bold declaration. We don’t see Joshua calling the people together for a prayer meeting to being everyone into agreement. Joshua decreed it to the Lord in front of all the people and God did it.

I have heard that the book of Job is older than than the history of the Israelites fleeing Egypt. Could it be that during the forty years that Joshua walked in fellowship with Moses that Moses had shared verbally the testimony of Job with Joshua? Could it be that in doing so, Joshua had learned a truth contained in the book of Job?

“You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways.” ‭‭Job‬ ‭22‬:‭28‬

‭Joshua not only declared a thing and God did it, but light shown on their way. If Joshua has been going off his own built up faith from the forty years, why not declare God provide a pillar of light as God so faithfully did most of Joshua’s life. In the natural, most would have declared that God wipe the enemies out not that the sun would stand still so they could fight.

There is a building of faith in hearing the testimonies of others. There is building of faith in memorizing the Scriptures and applying them to our life. This Scripture in Job provides a blue print for exactly what Joshua did. We don’t need the sun and moon to stand still. It is interesting also that the Bible points to outside texts to confirm that this is a historical event.

Is there an agreement on the true need? Maybe that is why Joshua didn’t ask for others to be in agreement. Maybe he spent the night walking and talking to the Lord, seeking direction for the fight ahead. Maybe this one leaves me with more questions than answers.

What bold decrees need to be made in faith for God’s people today?

Is there a person with their faith already build up who can decree it?

Have the stories of faithfulness like Job and Joshua been shared in our midst so that Faith has been stirred for the impossible?

Is there a cause so big?

I can listen for God’s voice, the Holy Spirit’s prompting on what to decree. I can make sure that what I pray and decree lines up with Scriptures and make sure that my faith is being stirred by the testimonies of others. I will also pray for the leaders like Joshua that they will have the courage to stand and boldly declare the hard things. And that they will be able to stand in faith as the Lord brings it to pass.

Prayer – Lord, what a faith building testimony! I think I would be busy checking the placement of the sun even after I decreed it. Give me faith to stand and decree the things that You have called me to. Give me endurance to stay in the battle until it is complete. Give me wisdom to know the correct decrees because I know I would have asked You to fight the battle. In Jesus name. Amen.