Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 4 - Tuesday
The Lord Is a Warrior
Scripture Reading: Exodus 2:23–25; Exodus 12:12–13; Exodus 15:3–11
The Lord Fights for His People
When the Israelites groaned under Egyptian oppression, their cries rose up to heaven. “God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Exodus 2:24). The Lord’s response was not passive sympathy—it was powerful action. He entered the conflict as a warrior, determined to deliver His people from the tyranny of Pharaoh.
In Exodus 12:12–13, we see this divine warrior striking down the gods of Egypt through the plagues. Each plague was not random; it was a direct challenge to Egypt’s false deities, showing that Yahweh alone is the true and living God. When the blood of the lamb marked the Israelites’ doors, the Lord Himself became their defender. Judgment passed over those who were under His protection.
Then, in Exodus 15:3–11, as the Israelites stood safe on the other side of the Red Sea, they sang, “The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is His name.” Pharaoh’s chariots and horsemen had been swallowed by the waters. The power and pride of Egypt lay broken beneath the waves. God had fought for His people and won.
The Great Controversy: Choosing a Side
This story of divine warfare reveals a deeper spiritual truth. The Bible describes a vast cosmic conflict between good and evil—between Christ and Satan (Revelation 12:7–9). Every earthly struggle reflects this greater battle for hearts and loyalties. There is no neutral ground. The reality of the great controversy allows for only one of two sides: we are either standing under the banner of Christ, or we are aligned, knowingly or not, with the forces of rebellion.
So how do you know which side you are really on?
Look at the direction of your heart. Are you daily surrendering to the will of God? Do you find your strength and hope in Him when life feels like a battlefield? Do you trust in the blood of the Lamb—the same symbol that shielded Israel from destruction?
To be on the Lord’s side is not merely to fight; it is to trust, to obey, and to follow the One who has already won the ultimate victory at the cross.
Reflection
God as a warrior is not a picture of cruelty but of compassionate strength—a Savior who fights for His children, who battles against evil, injustice, and sin. Just as He fought for Israel, He fights for you today—against the forces that seek to enslave, discourage, and destroy.
The Lord’s warfare is holy and just, aimed not at people but at the powers of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). When we let Him fight for us, we experience peace in the midst of conflict, victory in the face of fear, and assurance that we belong to the side that will triumph eternally.
Prayer
Lord of Hosts, mighty in battle, I thank You for being my defender and deliverer. Help me to stand on Your side in the great conflict between good and evil. Teach me to trust Your strength more than my own, and to live under the covering of the Lamb’s blood. When I feel surrounded by fear or temptation, remind me that You fight for me. May my life always bear witness that You are the victorious Warrior—my Savior, my King, and my God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Sabbath School Quarterly Online: The Lessons of Faith from Joshua
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