Joshua 11 & 12: A Long Time
Verse of the Day: (11:8)
Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.

1. Tomorrow (11:1-14)
And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire. (11:6)

Divide and conquer. This was the strategy that God gave to Joshua and Israel, and since then many army generals used this strategy to battle and win wars. Joshua led Israel to attack and defeat Jericho, the central area of Canaan, before they moved to the South to overcome their enemies. They then moved to the North, and faced off with their enemies who were countless in numbers. Joshua and Israel feared their strong and formidable enemies and thought this time they would surely fail in their mission to possess their Promised Land. However, again God encouraged and promised Joshua and Israel that the next day He shall fight for them and they shall surely defeat their enemies if they would only trust and obey Him. Indeed, God overcame their enemies, and they immobilised their enemies’ horses and burn their chariots so that there shall be no more weapons of war in the future. Though the best strategy of winning wars is to divide and conquer, yet the best strategy of God for His people is to unite and love one another! (Psalms 133) 

2. Time (11:15-23)
As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses. (11:15)

God shall deliver us from all our troubles only when we obey Him and wait patiently for Him. Moses and Joshua obeyed God and wait patiently for Him, and this was why He opened the Red Sea and delivered Moses and Israel from the Egyptians, and He opened the Jordan river and let Joshua and Israel crossed it dry to fight their enemies and possessed their Promised Land. Both Moses and Joshua took a long time before God finally grant them victory over their enemies. Indeed, it may take a long time for us to accomplish God’s plan, but let us keep obeying and waiting upon Him. (Isiah 40:31)

3. Thirty-one (12:1-24)
The king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty and one. (12:24)

We shall live victoriously when we obey God and wait patiently for Him in everything. Joshua and Israel obeyed God and fought a long time with their enemies before they overcame the 31 kingdoms of their enemies and finally possessed their Promised Land. Indeed, let us pray and wait patiently for God as though everything depends on Him, and let us work and serve Him as though everything depends on us. (1 Corinthians 15:57-58)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to obey You, and wait patiently for You in everything.