"Abiding"

Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel: "Sun, stand still over Gibeon; and Moon, in the valley of Aijalon." So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the people had revenge upon their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord heeded the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel. Joshua 10:12-14
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In today's message I'd like to ask you a question. Have you ever wondered ... How? ... Why? ... What made Joshua think that he could speak and tell the sun and the moon to stand still? Where would he come up with the idea? I ask because when you stop to think about it it is a pretty crazy thing to ask for never mind even believing that God would do it. Right? Crazy ...unless? Unless you have the kind of relationship With Him that Jesus was talking about in John 15:7 when He said, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Joshua didn't hesitate. He spoke to the sun and the moon and told them to stand still because it is what he needed to happen for the Israelites to win the battle. He didn't hesitate to speak because He knew that God was on their side. He didn't hesitate because He had a confidence in God that comes with knowing Him. Joshua had spent time abiding! Just before he went into battle God told Joshua, "Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you." Joshua believed Him and when it looked like the day was ending and they hadn't prevailed yet he spoke to the sun and the moon to stand still. He spoke and the sun stopped going down and the moon stopped coming up and they prevailed. Why? Because he was coming from a place of abiding. A place of knowing God not doubting but knowing that God would respond to his request.

Jesus said, "Abide in me and ask whatever you desire and it shall be done for you." Joshua was great at abiding. Check out Exodus 33:11 So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle. Abiding works! Joshua spoke and the most crazy ridiculous thing happened. He spoke. God heeded. The sun and moon obeyed. Then Joshua's desire was done - the battle was won.

So here is my best advice. Abide! Then ask. Then watch God be glorified in the most amazing ways!