Marathon vs. Sprint

GETTING STARTED

There have been times when I’ve resolved to obey the Lord wholeheartedly regarding a particular “territory” his Lordship needs to conquer within me. But when my zealous desire to experience victory takes longer than I first anticipate, I wonder why. I sometimes question my resolve, my faith, or God’s goodness. Joshua’s conquest of Canaan was finally finished. He had taken “the whole land,” and there was rest from war. However, the victory, and the rest it provided, did not come easily or quickly.

  • What “battle” are you currently fighting? How long has this conflict been going on?

READ THE WORD: JOSHUA 11:16-23 (ESV)

16 So Joshua took all that land, the hill country and all the Negeb and all the land of Goshen and the lowland and the Arabah and the hill country of Israel and its lowland 17 from Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir, as far as Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon below Mount Hermon. And he captured all their kings and struck them and put them to death. 18 Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.19 There was not a city that made peace with the people of Israel except the Hivites, the inhabitants of Gibeon. They took them all in battle. 20 For it was the Lord’s doing to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle, in order that they should be devoted to destruction and should receive no mercy but be destroyed, just as the Lord commanded Moses.

21 And Joshua came at that time and cut off the Anakim from the hill country, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel. Joshua devoted them to destruction with their cities. 22 There was none of the Anakim left in the land of the people of Israel. Only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod did some remain. 23 So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments. And the land had rest from war.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. Verses 16-20 describe Joshua’s conquest of the north. What geography lesson do you see here?
  2. Why did this military campaign take a long time (vs. 18)? What was left after it was finished?
  3. According to chapter 11, why do you think Joshua and the Israelites were successful in spite of the overwhelming odds against them?
  4. In what ways can you identify with Joshua when circumstances seem overwhelming? When a particular struggle lasts a very long time?
  5. Do you always expect success when you are obedient to God? Why, or why not?

RESPOND TO GOD

Obedience does not come naturally to us. Left to ourselves, we will attempt to obey God in our own human resources and strength—which are quickly depleted, leaving us exhausted and overwhelmed. However, the abundant life of Jesus can never be depleted. This is why we need him—to surrender to him out of love for him—not just our human determination to obey him. Thomas Merton stated, “Life is shaped by the end you live for. You are made in the image of what you desire.” Competing desires are often the cause of lengthy struggles in our lives. Our victory, and the rest it provides, come as we love him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.                                                                                                                                                                                                    

  • Read 1 John 5:4 and thank God for providing the victory you sense you currently need.
  • Look up Romans 15:4 when you feel you lack the endurance and encouragement to trust and obey God.