Joshua 5:1 - As soon as all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan for the people of Israel until they had crossed over, their hearts melted and there was no longer any spirit in them because of the people of Israel.
When you give yourself to the reading of the whole of God's word, your view changes.
Many months ago, I came to the realization that my view of God was a blinded view, and one that was more akin to a relationship with Santa Claus. Although not a proponent of having my "best life now", I sure acted more in that persuasion than realizing that God was sovereign, and in complete, and absolute control.
In our vain pride, we may think we are the captains of our souls, but over, and over, Scripture teaches us that God is in control with his mighty right hand.
When challenges confront us, if we're not rightly thinking, we tend to quickly run to find our own solutions. We seek to control destiny with our feeble right hands.
Here we see the Lord going before Joshua, even as they cross the Jordan, striking fear in the hearts of very powerful kings. '...their hearts melted and there was no longer any spirit in them...".
Before there was any face to face confrontation, God went before them, seized the kings hearts, and melted them with the fear of God.
Contemplate what these kings must have been going through, in the dark of the night, as the Holy Spirit tormented them with the mighty, awesome power of God. God is able to harden hearts, and God is able to melt hearts.
The lesson for us here is to wait upon God. Going to battle, without the Lord in front, is certain defeat. This too is made plain for us.
As we shall soon see, in the book of Joshua, the battle belongs to the Lord. We do well to remember that, and seek only to obey his commands.
How wonderful to be a child of the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords. Sometimes, he melts our opposition before us, and thereby brings glory to himself.
