GOD TEARS DOWN THE WALLS THAT KEEP US FROM HIS PROMISED BLESSINGS
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What walls of Jericho in your life are keeping you from entering God’s Promised Land… His abundant life for you? –
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9
In the Old Testament, we meet a man named Joshua, a heroic man of faith, who believes in a God of miracles. For he has been eyewitness to the miracles experienced by the Israelites in their deliverance from servitude to Egypt. Throughout the forty years of the desert wanderings of God’s children, Joshua’s faith in the Lord never wavers. He believes Jehovah will lead them into the Promised Land and scatter their enemies before them.
When the Israelites first reach the land of Canaan, Moses sends twelve men as spies to scout out the enemy territory. Although the cities there are fortified and the people look like giants, Joshua and Caleb trust God, the all-powerful One, to do the impossible. These two men of faith believe that Jehovah will go before them and fight their battles. The inhabitants can be conquered. The Almighty One will bring them victory.
Thus marks the turning point for God’s chosen people. They choose to believe the fear-filled accounts of the ten spies instead of the faith-filled reports of Joshua and Caleb. There before them lies the land promised by God to their ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Yet the people lack the faith to enter. The Lord sends them into the wilderness for forty years, barring them entrance into His Promised Land.
The God of the Israelites raises up a new generation in the wilderness… a generation who will be faithful and believe in Him. After the passing of Moses, God anoints Joshua to become the new leader. This hero of faith bravely leads the people on a seven-year conquest of the new land. Joshua exhibits a living faith in his God who promises victory.
First, Jehovah clears the way for His people through the Jordan River, miraculously stopping the flooded waters for their safe passage across on dry ground. Yet soon thereafter, the Israelites encounter a new obstacle in conquering the Promised Land. Jericho, a seemingly impenetrable fortress, looms before them… the first stronghold faced in their conquest. Yet the commander of the Lord’s army appears to Joshua with a word from God…
See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. – Joshua 6:2
The Lord promises to deliver the Israelites from the hand of their enemies. Will the people have the faith to follow this God of miracles? Joshua steps forward as a mighty leader. He rallies the people and sets into motion the plan God has given him for victory…
Take up the ark of the covenant of the Lord and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it… Advance! March around the city, with an armed guard going ahead of the ark of the Lord. – Joshua 6:6-7
Joshua carries out all that God has commanded. Each day for six days, they march once around the city of Jericho. Armed soldiers lead the way followed by seven priests sounding trumpets of rams’ horns. Next come the priests who are carrying the Ark of the Covenant followed by the rear guard.
Imagine the fear gripping the people of Jericho. Having heard of the miraculous passage of the Israelites through the flooded Jordan River, they have tightly barred the gates of the city. What miracle is now transpiring?
At daybreak on the seventh day, the procession marches around the city in the same way. Yet this day, they circle the city seven times per God’s command. The seventh time around, at the sound of the trumpet blast, Joshua commands the army…
Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord. – Joshua 6:16-17
At their mighty shout, the walls of Jericho collapse, just as the Lord has promised. The all-powerful God is with Joshua and His faithful people that day as they storm the city and take it over. Jericho is the first of many strongholds to be encountered in the Promised Land. Yet Jehovah is with them throughout their seven-year conquest, bringing them victory upon victory.
Just as God raised up a new generation of faithful Israelites, so He raises us up in Christ to be His faithful believers. Like Joshua, we believe in the God of miracles… the One who fights our battles for us… the One who tears down the walls that keep us from His promised rest and abundance.
At times, our faith will be tested. We will face battles. Yet we can trust our Lord to lead us to victory. With the bold faith of Joshua, let us be strong and courageous, remembering the One who is always with us. Let us believe in our almighty God to help us overcome the challenges and difficulties we encounter… to tear down the walls of Jericho in our lives that keep us from His promised favor and blessings.
† Eternal Takeaway – Our trust is in God alone to bring us victory in the battles we face †
