“When the people heard the sound of the rams’ horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it.” – Joshua 6:20
Sometimes God will intentionally put you in a situation that requires you to come face-to-face with your need for Him.
And if you’re like most people, it’ll go something like this: “God, I know it’s been a minute, but I’m in over my head here. Now you tell us in your Word that whatever we ask for, we will receive. Well, this is what I need, and the time is now, Lord. I need you to do your thing. I’ve been faithful, I’ve done everything you’ve told me to do. So now, how about honoring your end of the deal and getting this situation resolved.”
The only thing missing from that prayer is the ending: “In closing, I’d like to thank you, Father, for doing precisely what I’ve commanded you to do. Amen.”
Imagine if that had been Joshua’s prayer to the Lord as he was camped outside the walls of Jericho. But you see, Joshua wasn’t responsible for the result. God was. He was just responsible for doing what God told him to do. It was his first battle as the lead guy, and I’m guessing that he was at least a bit anxious. But God had a plan. And He sent the Commander of His Army to show Joshua what that plan was.
As Joshua prepares to listen to God’s Commander, we can almost see the thought bubbles floating above his head. “I wonder if it’s a frontal assault. Maybe we wait around and starve ’em out. Maybe we try a trick play, like Nick Foles did back in 2018 against Brady and the Patriots. Philly Philly!”
Nah.
“Joshua, I need you to march around the town once a day for six days. Put seven priests out in front of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day, you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. And when you hear the priests give one long blast on the horns, have all your men shout as loud as they can. The walls will then come tumbling down and you can walk right in and have your way with them.”
Joshua: You can’t be serious. You’re kidding, right? Rams’ horns? Shouting? Walls collapsing?
The Lord’s Commander: Yes, Joshua. Rams’ horns. And shouting. And walls collapsing. Just do as the Lord commands.
I’m sure it wasn’t what Joshua had in mind, but he didn’t question God’s plan. The plan didn’t revolve around his timing, but God’s. He didn’t have a powwow with his elders and take a vote on it. He didn’t tweak the plan on the second day because the wind shifted from the opposite direction. He followed God’s instructions to the very last word and did what he was told to do. And because Joshua relied on God and not his own thinking and strategizing, Jericho was delivered to him just as God had promised.
What a powerful testimony of what God can do when we simply stop relying on ourselves and start relying on Him!
Is there a wall in your life right now that is standing between you and victory over something that is denying you joy, peace, and rest? An addiction, maybe? Anxiety and depression? Financial insecurity? A strained relationship with someone you love? Friend, there is no wall too high nor too fortified for God to tear down.
But like Joshua, we must put our complete faith and confidence in Him; even if His plan sounds ridiculous to us, and it might; even if His plan takes longer than we would like, and it usually does; even when it costs us comfort and convenience, and it will. The more faith we have in God, the smaller these challenges become. The more we seek His guidance and counsel, the more wise and patient we become. The more we turn aside our own will and self-reliance and the more we walk in step with the Holy Spirit, the more we see the walls of separation and division come crumbling down around us.
All Joshua did was trust God with all his heart, soul, strength, and mind, and in return God gave him exactly what he needed. So let this be your encouragement today as you go through whatever challenges that await. The prophet Isaiah reminds us in chapter 55:8, “His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways.”
Let’s make His way our way today and see what might happen. 🙂
Former Blackout Artist 