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
Gospel Weekend with Jack Hay
Ahoghill – Ministry by John Grant 8th-12th February at 8.00pm. Speaking on “Things Concerning Himself”.
Limavady. J. Martin and W. Martin are in their third week of gospel meetings with fair attendance. Pray for blessing.
These series of gospel meetings are presently continuing and prayer would be valued..
Dromore Gospel Hall. M. Radcliffe and W. Fenton are sounding out the glorious gospel nightly. Prayer for salvation would be appreciated.
Castlewellan. T. Wright has returned to this town where he saw some blessing last year and is joined by D. McKinley in the preaching of the gospel. This is a very needy area.
Bangor (Ebenezer Gospel Hall). In mid January A. Colgan and P. McCauley commenced in the gospel. Please pray for blessing as the town is visited and the life giving message is preached.
Ballykeel (Mourne) D. McGarvey and F. McCauley commenced a series in the gospel in this rural area on 24th January. Prayer would be appreciated.
Ballymagarrick Gospel Hall.
Gospel and Ministry meetings are planned D.V. for Antrim Ballymena Bushmills Kells and Kingsmoss.
Glengormley – J Grant had challenging ministry meetings 25th – 29th January on the book of Judges.
In January Malcolm Radcliffe was with the saints for 10 days of profitable ministry on the Tabernacle with a chart.
The missionary conference at Spencer Bridge Road in January proved a time of blessing with reports on South East Asia from Michael Browne, Phil Coulson, Nitish Patel and a testimony from Mahesh Bandarupalli, a former Hindu guru.
The assembly hired a local Hall in a nearby village on a Lord's Day afternoon in December for a creation meeting with Farid Abou-Rahme. A good number of unsaved came out and heard the word.
Please pray for gospel meetings currently in progress with Ian Jackson in a rented Village Hall in the Village of Ambrosden near Bicester. At the end of 2009 a man long prayed for told us that he had been saved in the Tent earlier in the year, bringing much joy.
The assembly at Cheltenham had their Annual missionary Conference on 16th January which was a tremendous challenge and encouragement with many aspects of the Lord's work reported on.
Cookstown Gospel Hall:Praise God for blessing in the Gospel.
Summary of meetings in Armagh Banbridge and Fintona.
Northern Ireland