the sun stood still

“The greatest sorrow and burden you can lay upon the Father, the greatest unkindness you can do to Him is not to believe that He loves you.”

—John Owen


July 19, 2024

The book of Joshua tells the story of God’s people entering into the land that he promised them, as they violently displaced the pagan nations that occupied it. It should not come as a surprise, but the pagan nations who occupied the land did not take this lying down. They stood against the Lord, his covenant people, and his covenant promise. Indeed, in Joshua 10 five pagan kings banded together to fight against the Gibeonites because they had made peace with Joshua and Israel, having made a covenant with them. 

In response to this attack, the Gibeonites called out to Joshua for help. And as Joshua mustered his fighting men to defend their covenant brothers, the LORD spoke to Joshua and said “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you.” (Josh. 10:8). The LORD promised victory and deliverance for his people. As Joshua approaches the people are thrown into a panic, and as they fled the LORD rained down stones from heaven upon them. 

For some reason in this fight Joshua called out to the LORD for the sun to be still, and it was until Israel had vengeance on their enemies (Josh. 10:12-13). And the theological picture being painted for us as we read that text, as well as the text about stones being rained from heaven, is that God is covenantally faithful to fight for his covenant people. Our God fights for us and through us until his enemies are defeated. He cast the pagans into confusion and many were killed by the sword of the Israelites. But still more were killed by his divinely thrown stones from heaven. 

Let us not forget that we have a God who fights for us, albeit not in the same way since the advent of Jesus. We know that at the cross, all of God’s wrath against sin and rebellion was poured out. And in the resurrection of Jesus the power of sin and death was broken in the world. And we know that in the ascension of Jesus he was seated at the right hand of God the Father and will come back to judge the living and the dead. As we consider this picture we know that the evil within all of God’s people was dealt with at the cross. And the evil that still opposes him will be dealt with in his return and the consumption of all things. 

Therefore we fight as God’s people, not with swords at this point, but with hope. Knowing that God’s Word is true and it does not return void but accomplishes its purposes. So we can live in a world, even surrounded by enemies, even assailed by pagan rulers, even confronted with our own evil and despair, and we can know that our God fights for us — his only begotten Son came to save us from our sin, and will come again so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that he is Lord. 

Beloved in Christ, do not fear. Only believe. (Mark 5:36). The one who made the sun stand still sent his Son to save you. Rejoice in hope and be patient in tribulation. See y’all Sunday.

In Christ, 
John D

Announcements

Congregational Meeting 7/28/24
Immediately following the conclusion of worship on Sunday, July 28 we will have a congregational meeting for the purpose of electing 3 men (Nathan Harlan, Brady Hillegas, and Dave Felton) to the office of deacon as well as electing trustees. It is your right as a congregation to have a 30 day notice for this, which the session of Mercy is giving you according to the outline of our Book of Church Order. If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints about the candidates or the process please don’t hesitate to let the session know. In the event you as a congregation either vote to sell our current land or vote to buy a property in the future, the trustees will act as the legal representatives of Mercy Church to sign on the dotted lines of those transactions under the oversight of the Session. Here are the trustee nominations:

Dave Felton

Nathan Harlan
Ed Baker
John Title
Megan Green


—Summer Study of Ecclesiastes 
We will continue our summer study through the book of Ecclesiastes this Sunday, July 14 at 5pm. This study will run for 10 consecutive weeks through the summer and will be located at the Downs’s home. We will eat a meal starting at 5 and begin our study promptly at 6 pm.

—Songs for Sunday
Here’s what we’re singing this Sunday if you’d like to familiarize yourself with tunes + lyrics!

All Hail The Power Of Jesus’ Name
Psalm 144
Come Thou Fount
Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted
When I Survey The Wondrous Cross

These are some links that I have read recently that I enjoyed, found helpful, made me think, or otherwise did good for my soul/heart/mind. 

How America’s Premier Theologian Interpreted God’s Providence after Lincoln Was Assassinated

Savor Christ in Every Psalm

Hoodie Nation: The Official Uniform of the Crisis of Boys and Men

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