Miracles Need Faith

"Miracles Need Faith" - Joshua 10:12-14 When the kings of the five Canaanite cities heard that the Gibeonites had deserted to join the Israelites, they recognized that the central territory with its abundant hills was vulnerable and decided to attack Gibeon. The Gibeonites went to Joshua asking for military help.

I. A request from Joshua.

A. A plea of a righteous man, who asks a sovereign God almighty.

1. I heard a person say to clarify: the sun is not that, it rotates around the earth, it is the earth that rotates around the sun (the sun rotates on its own axis).

2. So, for that "person" such an event is impossible; that it was the sun that stood still.

3. (Joshua 10:9-11) Assured by the Lord of victory, Joshua attacked the enemy forces at Gibeon, causing them to flee.

4. Two miracles happened in the destruction of the enemy.

5. First, there was a tremendous hailstorm, which killed "more men" than the Israelites had killed.

6. But we noticed that they were "hailstones" that killed only the enemy.

7. Then (Joshua 10:12-15), at Joshua's request, sun and moon stood still, prolonging the hours the Israelites had to pursue and destroy the enemy before he could escape to the safety of their walled cities.

8. It's literally descriptive language (describe something, give information so people can represent it in their minds) to say that the sun and moon stopped.

9. But it is enough to know that it was a miracle that "resulted" in a long day for battle.

10. Spurgeon says, "How he did it is no question for us... It is not for us to try to explain or reduce (reduce, shorten) miracles, but to "glorify God in them."

11. Joshua 10:14 indicates that this was a unique day in the history "of the world."

12. God's promises are not given to relax and suppress (make it disappear, eliminate), but to warn and encourage our efforts.

13. (Genesis 1:3-19) The Creator: And God said, Let there be light, and it was light; and God called the expanse in the midst of the waters, separated the waters from the waters (expanding); and God called the expanse Heaven; God called the dry earth, and called the gathering of the waters seas; let the earth bring forth green grass, seed-bearing grass, tree, fruit, etc.

14. Although skeptics (those who do not believe) often scoff at the idea of miracles, in reality, if there is a supernatural God, then miracles are possible within the time frame and purpose of His will.

15. (Matthew 14:13-21) God did not tell how He miraculously fed thousands of people with only five loaves and two fish.

16. (2 Kings 6:4-7) As he made an axe float on water.

17. (Jonah 1:17) Like exactly that, Jonah was able to survive three days in the belly of a large fish.

18. And great is also how today the great deeds that are spoken in the Word for the whole earth continue to be consolidated (rooted, firm, fixed) and testify to them.

19. Acceptance of God's unlimited knowledge and power should be a sufficient logical explanation (demonstrable events that are supported by evidence and embodied in scientific theories).

20. (Matthew 14:28-30) Peter doubted the power of the Lord and fell.

21. (John 9:1-11) The man they call Jesus... And I got the sight.

22. (John 11:4) Faith moves the miracle.

23. It was for the glory of God, these events, Jesus was glorified by it (the death of Lazarus).

24. More miracles with that people who were slaves of the most powerful nation of their time.

25. Pharaoh is defeated; they bring fortune, food, Jehovah favors him, and a great land promised to father Abraham.

26. It was 430 years (Exodus 12:40; Galatians 3:14), years from the Abrahamic covenant to Moses and the law.

27. Miracles come true, though time is only merely waiting for faith. Amen.