Is Joshua’s claim that the sun stood still hopelessly at odds with science?

Continuing through Joshua 10, Pastor Steve Whinery examines one of the Bible’s most challenged miracles. He begins with the everyday language of sunrise and sunset, showing why Joshua describing the sun as standing still is perfectly natural from the perspective of someone standing on the earth.

From there, Pastor Steve explores several possible ways the event might have occurred, along with ancient traditions of unusually long days and nights, historical calendars, and theories involving the motions of the solar system. Scripture does not tell us the physical mechanism, so these ideas remain possibilities—but the larger question is whether the God who created the universe is capable of intervening within it.

We may not know how God did it. Joshua 10 asks whether we believe He could.

What happens when Joshua finally stops acting without prayer and starts asking God for help?

In Joshua 10, Pastor Steve Whinery follows the consequences of Israel’s earlier decision to make a covenant with the Gibeonites without first seeking the Lord. When five Amorite kings attack Gibeon, Joshua is bound by his word to come to their defense—but this time, God speaks, Joshua listens, and the Lord fights for Israel.

The battle leads to one of Scripture’s most remarkable events: Joshua asks for the sun and moon to stand still so Israel can finish the fight. Pastor Steve examines the passage, the questions it raises, and why Christians should be prepared to give thoughtful answers when people challenge the miraculous claims of Scripture.

Prayerlessness made the battle harder. Prayer brought Joshua back to the God who fights for His people.

What keeps us in a relationship with God—our faithfulness or His grace?

Continuing through Romans 11, Pastor Steve Whinery looks at Paul’s assurance that God has not abandoned Israel. From Paul’s own conversion to the 7,000 who remained faithful in Elijah’s day, Scripture shows that even in seasons of widespread rebellion, God preserves a remnant.

But that remnant exists by grace, not works. Salvation is a gift that cannot be earned by religious performance or obedience to the law. Pastor Steve contrasts grace, mercy, and justice while showing how self-righteousness can eventually leave a person spiritually blind to what God is doing.

Our hope is not that we have earned God’s favor. Our hope is that God is gracious.