God hadn't just pointed out the land of Canaan and told Joshua and the people of Israel to do their best. He had not led them to the land only to leave the conquering of the land up to them. He gave it to them. And that included His fighting on behalf of them. From the defeat of the kings of Og and Sihon on the eastern side of the Jordan River to the fall of Jericho, God had been leading the way and providing the means by which the people of Israel were able to take over a land from countless people groups that were more abundant and more powerful. Heavily fortified cities fell before them. Well-armed armies fled in terror from them. But it was all God's doing. He was the one who, behind the scenes, was orchestrating every single victory that the Israelites enjoyed. God was giving His chosen people a decisive advantage over their enemies because He had plans for them. He was making them a light in the darkness, a an example of His abiding presence and almighty power among the nations who worshiped false gods and placed their faith in that which could not save.
