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that day to remain in the memory of Israel. “There was no day like
that before it or after it, that Jehovah hearkened unto the voice of a
man: for the Lord fought for Israel.” “The sun and moon stood still
in their habitation: at the light of Thine arrows they went, and at the
shining of Thy glittering spear. Thou didst march through the land
in indignation, Thou didst thresh the heathen in anger. Thou wentest
forth for the salvation of Thy people.”
Habakkuk 3:11-13
.
Joshua had received the promise that God would overthrow these
enemies of Israel, yet he put forth as earnest effort as though success
depended upon the armies of Israel alone. He did all that human
energy could do, and then he cried in faith for divine aid. The secret of
success is the union of divine power with human effort. The man who
commanded, “Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in
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the valley of Ajalon,” is the man who for hours lay prostrate upon the
earth in prayer at Gilgal. Men of prayer are men of power.
This mighty miracle testifies that the creation is under the control
of the Creator. In this miracle, all who exalt nature above the God of
nature stand rebuked.
At His own will God summons the forces of nature to overthrow
the might of His enemies—“fire and hail; snow, and vapor; stormy
wind fulfilling His word.”
Psalm 148:8
. We are told of a greater battle
to take place in the closing scenes of earth’s history, when “the Lord
hath opened His armory, and hath brought forth the weapons of His
indignation.”
Jeremiah 50:25
.
The revelator describes the destruction that is to take place when
the “great voice out of the temple of heaven” announces, “It is done.”
He says, “There fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone
about the weight of a talent.”
Revelation 16:17, 21
.
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