Sun Stand Still

Lately I’ve been spending a lot of time pondering the promises of God.

I’ve been reading through the book of Joshua, and it has been an encouraging read for me. This season of support raising has felt like some combination of the Israelites wandering in the desert and Jesus being prepared for ministry in the wilderness. There have been times that have felt very much like wandering and there have been other moments when God has given me a glimpse into how He is using my circumstances to prepare me for things ahead. I’m thankful for these glimpses and I trust that the Lord is doing far more than those glimpses let on. 

Reading through the book of Joshua has been a needed reminder that this season will not last forever and the day of fulfillment of God’s promises is on its way.

The book of Joshua is all about the Israelites coming into the Promise Land, of finally settling into the land God had promised them years and years ago.

After forty years of wandering the wilderness, of becoming the people who would receive the awaited promise and inhabit the land, of chipping away at the parts that feared and did not believe, they are finally beginning the final leg of the journey – they are crossing the Jordan into the Promise Land.

What struck me the most is their response to the promises of God. In Joshua 10 God promises that they will defeat the people they are going up against in battle. He promises that not one of the Amorites would be able to withstand them on that day. As they go into battle the Amorites begin to flee from the Israelites.

As they ran, God flung hail down on the Amorites and it says more people were killed from the hail than from the swords of the Israelites. I love that our best efforts are dwarfed by those of God.

As the Israelites are pursuing the remaining Amorites, Joshua prays for the sun to stand still so that they may finish conquering the Amorites that day and so the promise of God may be fulfilled. 

I love Joshua’s bold response to the bold promises of God. He expects God to fulfill His promise and it affects the way he approaches the Lord. He doesn’t come to the Lord begging as if He doesn’t actually want to keep His promise, but as one who knows the character and faithfulness of His God.

Until lately when I came to God asking for His provision I came begging, as if He may not actually want to keep the promise He made to provide for me. I came as an orphan begging and afraid to get me hopes up.

But lately that has been changing. Instead of begging, I come confidently before the Lord, knowing His affection for me and His faithfulness towards me. I ask as a child who knows the character of her Father. I thank Him for the provision that is to come, knowing that it will come. Maybe not in the way or form I expect, but it will come and I will wait expectantly for it.

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Here is a little update for everyone who has been following my journey.

I have a little over 80% of my support and only need about $300 more in monthly support! 

I am praying that the remainder of this support would come in by September 1. As in one week from today. 

This is a bold prayer and I would love to ask y’all to pray with me that the Lord would abundantly provide all that I need. 

If I am fully funded by September 1 then I will be able to move to Wisconsin shortly after and begin the rest of my training for the Philippines.

Basically I need 3 people to commit to giving $100/month or 6 people to commit to giving $50/month (or any variation of this) and I will be done! If you are interested in becoming one of my monthly partners, please let me know! I would love to chat with you more about that!

I am so incredibly thankful for each and every one of you who have already come alongside me to support me. Thank you for investing in me and this ministry. I’m so thankful for your unwavering support and your trust and faith in the Lord when my own seems to falter. Thank you for creating a firm foundation for me to be able to follow the Lord in all that He has for me. I could not do this without each of you!

Thank you all for following this journey I’m on!

With love,

Rachel