Joshua 11-12 | Trusting God in the Long Battles

Episode Summary:
In this episode of No Dusty Bibles, we walk through Joshua 11–12, where Israel faces an overwhelming coalition of enemy kings—and wins. But not overnight. These chapters remind us that God’s promises are sure, even when the process is slow. If you're in a season where obedience feels exhausting and progress seems delayed, this is your invitation to trust that God is still working behind the scenes.

Key Highlights from the Episode:

Overview of the Passage or Topic:

• Joshua 11: Israel faces a massive alliance of kings in the northern region. God reassures Joshua of victory, but the battles stretch on for “a long time” (v.18). This chapter emphasizes obedience and endurance as God fulfills His promises little by little.
  
  
• Joshua 12: A detailed list of 31 defeated kings serves not only as a historical record but as a visible testimony of God’s consistent faithfulness—one victory at a time.
  
  

Key Themes or Lessons:

• Victory May Be Delayed, Not Denied
  Joshua 11:18 reminds us that even when we’re walking in obedience, breakthroughs can take time. Long battles don’t mean God has forgotten.
  
  
• Faithfulness Is Measured Step by Step
  The extensive list in Joshua 12 shows that every battle, no matter how small, counted toward the fulfillment of God’s promises.
  
  
• Obedience Requires Endurance
  Joshua’s success wasn’t just because of courage—it was sustained trust and daily obedience over time.
  
  

Devotional Application:

Sometimes, faith looks like showing up when it would be easier to quit. These chapters invite us to stop expecting microwave miracles and instead embrace the long arc of God’s timing. Like Joshua, we’re called to walk in obedience even when victory feels far off. Because when we keep going, God keeps working—and His faithfulness never fails.

Reflection Prompts:

1. Are you in a season where obedience feels long and tiring?
   Identify where you're feeling weary, and ask God for renewed strength to keep going one step at a time.
   
   
2. What “small wins” from your journey can you remember as evidence of God’s faithfulness?
   List them—just like Joshua 12 lists the victories—and let them build your confidence in God’s continued work.
   
   
3. What’s your next faithful step, even if you can’t yet see the finish line?
   Ask the Lord to clarify and empower you to take it with courage and trust.
   
   

Additional Details:

• These chapters reflect God’s justice and sovereignty in fulfilling His promise to give Israel the land of Canaan.
  
  
• Joshua’s endurance models the kind of faithfulness required not just for leadership, but for every believer walking through a slow or difficult season.
  
  
• The victory list in chapter 12 becomes a personal encouragement: even what feels small now may become a celebrated milestone in hindsight.
  
  

Closing Encouragement:

Thanks so much for joining me today on No Dusty Bibles! Remember—God is not in a hurry, but He is never late. If you’re walking through a long obedience in the same direction, take heart: the God who carried Joshua through countless battles is carrying you too.

Until next time, stay in the Word and trust in His promises. See you soon!

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Thank you for joining us for this episode of the No Dusty Bibles Podcast. Remember, every page turned in the Bible is a step closer to understanding the heart of God. We're here to journey with you, one chapter at a time.

Acknowledgment

In our daily readings, we are grateful to utilize the World English Bible (WEB) translation, a resource committed to making the words of Scripture accessible to all. The WEB is in the public domain, allowing it to be freely used and shared. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the contributors and supporters of the World English Bible for their dedication to making this valuable translation available to the public. Their work enables us to explore and share the Bible's teachings with everyone, furthering our mission to make the Bible accessible and available for every woman.