You have to be careful when you read the Bible, or you could easily be deceived. This statement may sound blasphemous or just plain wrong, so let me explain. I’m not saying the Bible is not true. It is! What I’m saying is that the Bible seeks to communicate truth about God and who He is. Consequently, historical accounts are focused more on that than the details or timelines of the event. If we don’t keep that in mind, we can be deceived into thinking the events we’re reading were accomplished quickly, simply, or easily.
For example, in Joshua chapter 11, God leads Joshua and the Israelites to completely conquer all the kings and territories in the north. (They had completely conquered all the kings and territories in the South in the previous chapter.) They conquer all the promise land in just two short chapters! It makes it all seem so neat and quick.
But there is a small phrase in chapter 11 that dispels that idea and reminds us that it’s not as quick and easy as it seems sometimes…even with God! In Joshua 11:18, we’re reminded that the Israelites were “waging war for a long time to accomplish this.”
In this age of three minute microwave popcorn and in-and-out surgery, we need to remind ourselves that we are called to a long haul battle in gaining more and more ground for God in our personal lives and in our culture. It won’t be quick. It won’t be easy. And it won’t be without cost. But God promises us the victory, if we’ll stay in the fight for as long as it takes!