By faith, the walls of Jericho fell after the people had marched around them for seven days. Hebrews 11:30
Do you know this story about the walls of Jericho falling? It is a wonderful story about how God does the impossible.
Let’s start reading Exodus 17: 8-16 and find out a little bit about Joshua. Who was Joshua? What weapon was his specialty? During this time, Joshua did not know what was going on up on the mountain. He didn’t know that Moses was having arm problems. Joshua leads the children of Israel in the battle. Sometimes he knew that they were winning, and other times they were losing. God made sure he understood before Joshua could take credit for the result. In Exodus 17: 14, what did God express to Moses about Joshua? Read Joshua 6:1-20. What was the basic strategy for taking down a powerful city?
Before Joshua even knew that God was training him. God had chosen him before he was born. God had chosen him to lead in the battle of Canaan. Scripture says that he was a warrior and a worshiper long before leading them into the Promised Land. His training wasn’t wasted, nor is ours! We can’t derail off from God’s plan of training us. If we do, then we start to snap at each other. Why would God made a point of his knowing what ultimately happened in the Amalekite battle?
Go to Joshua 5:13-15 and read it. What happened before God gave Joshua the instructions about Jericho? How does this scene seem to fit into the picture based on his prior experience in the battle with the Amalekites? What was God telling Joshua? What does God want us to know out of all of this? First, he wants us to know that we can do amazing things. Philippians 4:13 says that we can do all things – through Christ! God doesn’t want us to feel inadequate, but he does want us to understand and know that he empowers us.
Back to the walls of Jericho! God presented Joshua with the strategy on how to take the walls down. This battle was not going to be won by muscle but by faith. Read 1 John 5:4. Faith is the victory!. Read Joshua 6:1-2. What are God’s words to Joshua? Faith! It makes our walk with God exciting and adventureous.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for showing us how to have faith through Joshua. I pray that we will trust you and have faith in your ways.
In Jesus Name
Amen
