Keep Taking Ground

Scripture

“Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.” Joshua 10:8

Additional Scripture References

• “So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies.” Joshua 10:13
• “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
• “They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.” Psalm 84:7

Main Idea

A win with God isn’t the finish line. It’s the starting point for something bigger. He’s always calling us to step out again, to keep trusting, and to keep taking new ground.

Challenges Will Occur, But God Still Fights for You

Scripture

“The Gibeonites then sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: ‘Do not abandon your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us! Help us, because all the Amorite kings from the hill country have joined forces against us.’” Joshua 10:6

Overview

Right after winning at Jericho, Joshua ran into an even bigger fight. Five kings teamed up against the Gibeonites. The opposition grew stronger, but Joshua didn’t flinch. Joshua knew God had already guaranteed the victory.

New territory attracts new opposition. The enemy always shows up where God is moving.

Deeper Dive

Walking with God teaches us something important. Progress always brings pressure. When God starts moving in your life, the enemy does not step aside. He pushes back harder.

The Israelites could have thought Jericho was the finish line. But God reminded them there was more land ahead, more battles to face, and more victories to win.

It works the same way for us. The moment you decide to serve, to give, or to grow in your faith, resistance often shows up quickly. Sometimes it comes as financial stress. Other times it is tension in relationships. And sometimes it feels like a heavy cloud of discouragement.

But here is the truth. Pressure is not proof you are off track. It is proof you are right where God wants you. The battle does not mean God has abandoned you. It means you are making progress.

Question

What is one area of your life where you have felt pressure right after taking a step of faith? How can you remind yourself that God is still fighting for you in that place?

Your Past Victory Doesn’t Excuse You From Future Obedience

Scripture

“After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took them by surprise.” Joshua 10:9

Overview

Joshua could have stopped after Jericho, but he didn’t. He marched all night to meet the next challenge. His obedience was not based on yesterday’s success but on today’s calling.

Yesterday’s yes doesn’t cover today’s assignment. When you stop moving, you start losing ground.

Deeper Dive

Joshua teaches us that faith is not about a single moment of obedience. It is about a pattern of daily surrender. We can fall into the trap of thinking, “I gave once, I forgave once, I showed up for church a few weeks in a row.” Those moments matter, but they cannot carry today’s assignment.

Think of a runner in a marathon. Energy and cheers are strong at the starting line and the finish line. The true test comes in the middle, when the crowd is gone and fatigue sets in. That is where consistency matters. Spiritually, our “mile 17” moments are where real obedience shows up. God is not calling us to rely on yesterday’s faith. He is calling us to obey today.

Question

Where in your life have you been tempted to settle on past obedience instead of stepping into what God is asking of you right now?

God’s Power Is Unlimited, So Don’t Limit Your Ask

Scripture

“On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel: ‘Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.’ So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies.” Joshua 10:12–13

Overview

In the middle of the battle, Joshua prayed a bold prayer. He asked God to stop the sun, and God answered. Joshua’s prayer shows us that God responds to bold faith when it is aligned with His mission.

The size of your prayer reveals the size of your faith.

Deeper Dive

Joshua’s prayer was not about comfort. It was about finishing the mission God had given him. That is why God responded. When our prayers are centered on His will, we can ask with confidence, knowing that He delights in faith-filled requests.

Too often, we pray safe prayers. We ask for convenience instead of calling. We believe God for small things but hesitate to bring Him the big battles. Joshua’s example reminds us that no request is too big for God when it advances His purposes. He is not limited by time, resources, or circumstances. The same God who made the sun stand still can move in your situation today.

Question

What is one bold prayer you need to start praying this week? How would your faith change if you believed God could do the impossible in that area?

Summary

Joshua shows us that victories in life are not meant to make us comfortable but to prepare us for the next step. Challenges will come, but God fights for us. Yesterday’s obedience is not enough for today’s calling. And when we pray boldly in alignment with His mission, God’s power has no limits.

Call to Action

This week, identify one area where you have stopped advancing. Ask God to show you the next step of obedience. Then, pray boldly for Him to do what only He can do. One act of obedience may be the start of your next breakthrough.

Prayer Prompts

• Pray for strength to keep moving forward when opposition rises.
• Ask God to reveal areas where you have grown complacent and need to obey again.
• Pray bold prayers for your family, your church, and your community.
• Thank God that His power is unlimited and His promises never fail.