It is faith in a God with all power that brought the walls of Jericho down.
No weapons were ordered or needed. Merely, the priests were to walk around the outside walls of the fortress of Jericho. Joshua and the men of war would walk silently. The priests would carry the Ark of God and blow the trumpet of the ram’s horn. One walk around per day for six days. On the seventh day they would walk round the fortress seven times. Before night on that seventh day they were instructed to shout in unison. The walls would and did come down.
Joshua and his men were victorious. Panic and fear overcame the Canaanites. They must have thought the behavior of their enemy, pure folly as they watched them walking around their fortress carrying the Ark of God and blowing the ram’s horn. Then, on the seventh day came the shout and the triumph.
We encounter walls from time to time. Walls of discrimination, misunderstanding and unforgiveness. Too young, too old; too white, black, brown, yellow or red; too thin, too fat; too poor, too wealthy; too lacking in training, too qualified; too sick for healing; too sinful for the forgiveness of our Savior. The world has created too many walls.
The fact is, God will bring our walls down. But, there are requirements. We must listen for His guidance and follow His will in obedience. Carry the scripture of God with unceasing prayers. That is our ark. Walk prayerfully and calmly around the problem…Our wall. Wait on God. As in this great battle of Jericho, He wants to make sure that observers of our wall, crushing victories understand that it is God who provides the power to reverse our defeat to huge victory. It is not our own doing. It is God’s work. He should receive the glory and praise, not us.
One of the scriptures caught my attention and provides great encouragement and confidence for the future walls I may encounter. I hope it does the same for you too.
Joshua 6:2
Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its King and its fighting men. (NASB)
Wow! Just think about that. Even before the plan was explained to Joshua. Before the days of walking and blowing the ram’s horn had even begun. Victory, sweet victory, was theirs.
When burdens, fears, hopelessness and storms approach, God is already at the helm, the battle plan is in place and victory is secured. Our part? Trust Him to be present, planning and directing the battle straight to victory. Have faith that no matter what wall is before us, God is there.
~Scripture For Today~
Joshua 6:3-5
3 You shall march around the city, all the men of war circling the city once. You shall do so for six days. 4 Also seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of ram’s horns before the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5 It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people will go up every man straight ahead. (NASB)
Joshua 6:27
27 So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land. (NASB)
~Prayer For Today~
Hello Father! We give you all the glory and praise. Thank You that there is no storm we go through or wall that stands before us, that You are not there. We pray for faith that sustains us through the stormy days that come against us and the fortress walls that stand in the way of our victory. Forgive us for lacking trust that You are present and consumed with assuring victory in our lives, no matter what we face. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
©2016 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.
This is one of your best ones, Kathy!