So King Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem sent messengers to several other kings: Hoham of Hebron, Piram of Jarmuth, Japhia of Lachish, and Debir of Eglon. “Come and help me destroy Gibeon,” he urged them, “for they have made peace with Joshua and the people of Israel.” So these five Amorite kings combined their armies for a united attack. They moved all their troops into place and attacked Gibeon. JOSHUA 10:3-5 NLT
Whenever you make peace with God, you will be attacked by people.
Use your mind to think about God
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! ISAIAH 26:3 NLT
For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. 1 CORINTHIANS 14:33 NLT
I the LORD do not change. MALACHI 3:6 NLT
I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. PSALM 121:1-2 TNIV
Follow spiritual leaders who hear from God
Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal, saying, “Do not abandon your servants; come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites that live in the hill country have assembled against us.” So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him and all the valiant warriors. And the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them shall stand before you.” JOSHUA 10:6-8 AMP
Do not listen to these prophets when they prophesy to you, filling you with futile hopes. They are making up everything they say. They do not speak for the LORD! JEREMIAH 23:16 NLT
Accept that discomfort and suffering are a path to spiritual growth
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. PHILIPPIANS 1:29 NIV
So Joshua came upon them suddenly by marching all night from Gilgal. And the LORD confounded them before Israel, and He 1slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and pursued them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon, and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. And it came about as they fled from before Israel, while they were at the descent of Beth-horon, that the LORD threw large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died; there were more who died from the hailstones than those whom the sons of Israel killed with the sword. JOSHUA 10:9-11 NASB
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 TIMOTHY 4:1 KJV
Trust that God has placed me in this time for a reason!
Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel,
“O sun, stand still at Gibeon,
And O moon in the valley of Aijalon.”
So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped,
Until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies.
Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man; for the LORD fought for Israel. Then Joshua and all Israel with him returned to the camp to Gilgal. JOSHUA 10:12-15 NASB
What if 2020 is the way it is so you can become the way you are supposed to be?
“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” J.R.R. Tolkien – The Fellowship of The Ring
Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this? ESTHER 4:13 NLT
My Notes
Personal Reflection Guide
Find a peaceful place where you can be alone with God. Take a deep breath, quieting your mind so you can focus on receiving whatever he wants to show you in this space. Consider the last time you truly felt at peace. Where were you and how did you see God at that time? Think about who was speaking into your life then. God often speaks to us through his people. Ask yourself, “Is there currently a situation in my life where I am experiencing chaos or difficulty? Do I need to seek advice from a trusted spiritual source? Will the words they may speak challenge or make me feel uncomfortable?” If so, be encouraged by that! God uses discomfort to change us. In 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 MSG, Paul writes, “So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace.” In this time that may feel difficult, ask God, “What are you making new in me?” Ask yourself, “Who do I need to share this with so that they too can be encouraged and find peace?” Close your time with God by thanking him for caring enough about your character to continue moving you on his unique journey for your life.
Discussion Questions
- What have you been learning about yourself, God or others in your personal Bible reading time? What stood out to you this week?
- Read Isaiah 26:3. In spite of all the chaos of 2020, in what tangible ways has your relationship with and trust in God granted you some peace?
- Read Psalm 121:1-2. What idols (things you turn to to find help or relief) have you been tempted to turn to in this season instead of trusting in God? Are there any you still need to remove?
- Read Jeremiah 23:16. When have you heard someone say that they were speaking for God, but they really were not? What tools did you use to discern the truth?
- Read Philipians 1:29. Over the last few months, what good things have been built in you as a result of your suffering?
- Read Esther 4:13. Esther was positioned by God in a specific time and place to do something only she could do. As you think about your life right now, why do you think God has placed you where he has? What things do you feel he has uniquely positioned you to do?
