In 1939 Europe was thrown into another major conflict. Britain’s involvement followed a pact made with Poland, guaranteeing their security if they were attacked by Nazi Germany. Similarly, having made a pact with the Gibeonites, Joshua was responsible for their security. The enemy kings realised the strategic value of the city of Gibeon and decided to attack it. It may have been, given their subterfuge with Joshua, that the Gibeonites were not a particularly martial people and the forces allied against the Israelites decided to assault the weakest point in the union.
Once again, as he prepares for battle, Joshua hears the comforting words from the Lord, ‘Do not fear them.’ He had heard this before Jericho and the ambush at Ai. These words guaranteed triumph in the battle, despite overwhelming odds against them.
Assured of victory, the Israelites engage the enemy before Gibeon and cause them to flee. In the process, God performs two miracles. Firstly, more of the attackers are slain by massive hailstones. The miracle is not only that hailstones fell at this time, but that they seem to have been ‘guided’ hailstones, striking only the enemy! Then at the request of Joshua, the sun and the moon ‘stood still’, thus prolonging the hours of daylight available to the Israelite army to complete the task of utterly destroying the enemy.
What an effort was required by the Israelite army. They had marched all night from Gilgal and then immediately engaged in unrelenting warfare for an inordinately long time. Yet, despite this ‘superhuman’ effort, the victory was the Lord’s! God’s promises of victory should likewise spur us on to greater efforts on His behalf.
Reports
The assembly in Tayport had the Bible Exhibition in their recently extended and refurbished hall at the beginning of September and it proved to be a very profitable week.
The small assembly in Stornoway on the island of Lewis must be one of the most isolated in the UK, and does not get many visitors.
4 weeks of Tent meetings on a School playing field in Bicester with Frank Sona and Marvin Derksen in August saw over 70 unsaved in attendance and one young girl professing to be saved.The children's meetings in the mornings of the first week, conducted by local brethren, saw new contacts being made.
Alan Barber writes about the Tall Ships opportunity in Hartllepool
The small assembly in Stromness again used the occasion of the annual July “shopping week” to reach out with the gospel.
Outreach and Encouragement
Here are a number of reports for Co. Antrim and also notice of some forthcoming meetings D.V.
Belmont Hall, Harrow, held its 21st Annual Holiday Bible Club for 3 hours every afternoon from 26th-30th July. The theme for the week was the “I am” sayings of Christ. About 45 attended each day. The assembly was very encouraged that over half of the children were new contacts, with some very keen to join the Sunday School and mid-week children’s meeting when they resume in September.
The assembly at Chappell Street invited Stephen Grant to conduct a series of gospel meetings in June. There was good support from other assemblies in Renfrewshire.The assembly was encouraged by the attendance of some from the town who must have been challenged by the powerful messages delivered each night. The gospel was also brought before the town in the many invitations distributed before and during the meetings. We pray that we shall yet see fruit from the seed sown.
Tent meetings began in late July. Good response in the morning children's meetings and help to preach in the evenings for Frank Sona and Marvin Derksen (Canada).
Nitish and Elen Patel write in their newsletter;
Gospel meetings with Roland Pickering.
Alan Barber reports from Hartlepool.
Various Reports from NI at end June
Various meetings to be held D.V. for your prayerful interest and support.
J Rogers was with this small assembly for the four weeks of June. 10,000 invitations were distributed. Good numbers attended, some local, others from neighbouring assemblies. M Radcliffe helped for the first 2 weeks and W Fenton for the last 2 weeks. There was help to preach and the Christians were encouraged. Prayer appreciated for this needy area.