Uncommon Faith: Trusting God for the Impossible
Introduction
Good morning, Radiant Life! Today, I want to share with you about uncommon faith—the kind of faith that pushes past ordinary expectations and believes that God can do the extraordinary. We find a perfect example of this type of faith in the story of Joshua. In Joshua 10:12-14, Joshua prayed one of the boldest prayers in the Bible, asking God to make the sun and moon stand still. But before we dive into the miraculous nature of this event, it’s important that we understand what was actually happening here. Let’s begin by reading the passage. Scripture Reading: Joshua 10:12-14 (NIV)
"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, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel!"
1. The Sun Did Not Stop—A Metaphorical Understanding
Now, I want to make an important point here. Joshua never stopped the sun. You see, from a scientific standpoint, the sun doesn’t rotate around the Earth. It is the Earth’s rotation that causes the cycle of day and night. So, when Joshua requests the "sun to stand still over Gibeon" and the "moon to stand still over the Valley of Aijalon," he is using metaphorical language—a common way of speaking in ancient times. In the ancient worldview, people did not have the scientific knowledge that we do today. They described natural phenomena based on their perspective of how things appeared. When Joshua asked for the sun and moon to halt, he was asking for God’s divine intervention in a way that would have been understood by the people of that time. It’s not that the Earth stopped rotating, but rather, the day was extended in a miraculous way—long enough for Joshua and the Israelites to complete their battle and achieve victory. So, let us not get caught up in a scientific explanation, but rather focus on the theological and spiritual implications of what happened. This event was a divine act, one that displayed God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His willingness to intervene on behalf of His people.
2. The Boldness of Joshua’s Faith
Joshua’s request is remarkable. In a time of crisis, when victory seemed uncertain, Joshua dared to ask for something that was, humanly speaking, impossible. He didn’t pray a timid prayer. He didn’t ask for just a little bit more daylight or for a slight advantage. He prayed boldly, asking for the sun and moon to stand still. This was an extraordinary request, and it took extraordinary faith. The question we must ask ourselves today is: Do we have the courage to pray bold prayers like Joshua? Are we willing to ask God for the impossible? So often, we limit our prayers to what seems achievable, to what we can grasp with our human understanding. But Joshua’s faith challenges us to pray in a way that stretches our faith beyond the natural and into the supernatural. Joshua didn’t hesitate because the circumstances seemed impossible. He prayed knowing that God was capable of doing what seemed impossible. And that’s what makes this faith uncommon.
3. God's Sovereignty Over Creation
When Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still, he was recognizing God's sovereignty over all creation. God, the Creator of the universe, has authority over the natural laws that govern our world. The miracle of the sun standing still is not just a dramatic display of power; it is a statement about who God is. He is the Lord of the universe, the One who spoke the world into being and holds all things together. As we reflect on this story, we are reminded that God is not limited by the laws of nature. He created those laws, and He can alter them whenever He chooses. This is the kind of God we serve—the kind of God who is willing to intervene in our lives and change the course of history when we step out in faith and trust Him. Joshua's prayer was not just for a longer day; it was a demonstration of his faith in a God who could change the very fabric of reality. When we pray, we must remember that we are praying to the Creator of the universe—one who is able to do far more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
4. Divine Intervention in Response to Faith
In this story, God responds to Joshua’s faith by intervening in a miraculous way. The sun did not actually stop, but the day was prolonged enough to secure victory for Israel. God granted Joshua’s request because of his faith, and this miracle serves as a reminder that God will act on behalf of His people when they trust Him. It’s essential to understand that this miracle wasn’t just about God changing the physical world—it was about God’s faithfulness to His people. God responded to Joshua's bold prayer because He had a purpose for Israel, and He wanted to ensure that His will was accomplished. Through this miracle, God showed His active involvement in the lives of His people. This event reminds us that when we pray in faith, we can expect God to respond. Our faith moves the heart of God, and He will intervene in ways that go beyond what we can comprehend. God’s answers to our prayers may not always be as dramatic as stopping the sun, but we can be assured that He is working on our behalf in ways we cannot always see.
5. Theological Implications: God’s Power to Alter Natural Laws
The miracle of the sun standing still raises profound theological questions. What does this event tell us about God's relationship with creation? Simply put, it shows us that God is not bound by the natural laws He set in motion. While He created the universe with order and structure, He is not confined by that order. If He chooses to intervene, He can alter the laws of nature to accomplish His purposes. This is a powerful reminder of the omnipotence of God. There is nothing that is impossible for Him. He can bring healing when doctors say there is no hope. He can restore broken relationships when we believe reconciliation is beyond reach. He can move mountains in our lives when we step out in faith.
6. The Challenge for Us Today
Joshua's faith is a challenge for us today. Are we willing to pray prayers that stretch our faith? Are we willing to trust God for the impossible? The world tells us to be realistic, to limit our expectations, to only ask for what can be reasonably achieved. But God calls us to trust Him for more than what is achievable in our own strength. We are living in a time where we need uncommon faith. The world is facing challenges, crises, and circumstances that seem insurmountable. But I believe that God is calling us to rise above the natural and to trust Him for the supernatural. As we face personal struggles, societal issues, or even global challenges, God is calling us to pray boldly, to trust in His power, and to believe that He can do the impossible.
Conclusion: A Call to Bold Prayer and Uncommon Faith
Let me leave you with this challenge today: Do you have uncommon faith? Do you trust God to intervene in your life in ways that go beyond the natural? Just as Joshua trusted God for the impossible, we are called to do the same. Let’s step out in faith, knowing that the same God who made the sun stand still is the same God who is at work in our lives today. He can move mountains, He can heal the sick, He can restore the broken, and He can make the impossible possible. Let us be a people who pray bold prayers, who trust God for the impossible, and who believe that through our faith, God can change the world.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the example of Joshua and his unwavering faith in You. We recognize that You are the Creator of the universe, sovereign over all things, and that with You, all things are possible. We ask that You would increase our faith, giving us the boldness to trust You for the impossible. Help us to step out in faith, to align our prayers with Your will, and to believe that You will work mightily in our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
End of Sermon