Gods Sabbath

S UCCESS AND F AILURES

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ering above the soldiers of his army, they were able to advance against Og, King of Bashan, under God’s leading in the same way that had brought them victory over the Amorites. (See Deuteronomy 3:1–11) As their trust in God’s leading grew, they faithfully followed the pillar of cloud into battle. In this way they moved only according to God’s plans. “The calm faith of their leader inspired the people with confi dence in God. They trusted all to His omnipotent arm, and He did not fail them. Not mighty giants nor walled cities, armed hosts nor rocky fortresses, could stand before the Captain of the Lord’s host. The Lord led the army; the Lord discomfited the en emy; the Lord conquered in behalf of Israel. The giant king and his army were destroyed, and the Israelites soon took possession of the whole country. Thus was blotted from the earth that strange people who had given themselves up to iniquity and abominable idolatry.” Patriarchs and Prophets , 436.2. With these wonderful experiences behind them, Israel pressed on with courage and confidence, fully believing that they would soon be given their promised inheritance. Yet Satan was still successful in seducing them into terrible apostasy at the Jordan River on the far shores of which lay the land of hope. Fearful judgments further cleansed the camp of the unbelieving, leaving the remainder sorely chastened. (See Numbers 25:9.) Israel’s next trial of faith took place when they came to cross the Jordan. “At this time of the year—in the spring season—the melting snows of the mountains had so raised the Jordan that the river overflowed its banks, making it impossible to cross at the usual fording places.” Patriarchs and Prophets , 483.3. The Israelites resisted the temptation to make plans of their own for crossing this barrier, leaving God free to give them His specific orders of how to accomplish it. These directives, made by the heavenly Plan Maker, were carried out to the letter with the result that the objective was achieved exactly as planned (see Joshua 3 and 4). The successful crossing of the river was Victory at Jericho