LEARNING DAILY

 

Joshua 6:20, So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him and took the city.

 

You know the story of Jericho. God instructed Joshua to lead the people around the city one time for six days. On the seventh day they were to walk around the city seven times. When the people heard the sound of the trumpets, they shouted and the walls fell flat just as God said they would. When the walls fell, the people rushed into the city killing all the people and all the animals with their swords. Only Rahab and her family with her in her room was spared because she had tied a scarlet cord in her window as a reminder of what she had done for the spies.

 

I looked up the distance the people walked around the city and found the walk was about 124 miles. The city covered about eight acres; its walls were estimated to be thirty feet high and twenty feet thick (I have read other accounts that the walls were twenty feet high and eight feet thick!).  It has been thought the city had triple gates (which may account for the larger width of the gates) and was securely shut up – the city was ready for a siege! The city was considered an invincible fortress and, of course, to be protected by the Canaanite gods. The Israelites were not prepared to defeat Jericho by their own abilities. But God gave Joshua a plan and a promise. The promise was such that only He could deliver and that is what He did.

 

I have often thought about a saying I once read. You are either going through something difficult, just gone through something difficult, or you are about to go through difficulty. First, remember what God has already done for you when you were going through that difficult time. Remember! God told Joshua, “Be strong and of good courage; I will never leave you nor forsake you!” That message was not just for Joshua; it was also for you and me. God’s victory at Jericho was important to demonstrate the power of Israel’s God over the Canaanite gods. The defeat of Canaanites was a done deal!

 

What is your Jericho today? What are you facing that is beyond your ability to defeat? What are you facing that is so big that you need your God to bring down its walls? Perhaps you have been walking around the walls of your Jericho for some time now and the “seventh day” is near and you will see the walls fall flat in defeat. Romans 15:4 says, “For whatever things was written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of Scriptures might have hope.” This not just a nice story for us to feel good about. It is written for us to apply to our own Jericho(s). The most important lesson we can learn and apply is that when we are faithful obedient to God’s commands, even when we do not understand, the victory over our Jericho(s) happen.

 

The military strategy for the defeat did not make a lot of sense. However, there is a great difference between the way God does thing and the way we want to do things. The people were obedient to the plan. They believed God. Afterall, had He not just parted the Jordan River for them to cross over? Why would He not be faithful in this plan. God keeps His promises as our faith is demonstrated.

 

I ask again. What is your Jericho today?  Face it with the faith of a mustard seed, believing God’s promise to be with you through it. It might take you some days of walking around it, but do so knowing that He is with you! Remember! Joshua and the people of Israel carried out the commands of God and He gave them the victory. That holds true for you and me. As we have true faith and walk the narrow way of obedience to Him, God gives us the victory over our Jericho(s). Be encouraged! The God of all creation is with you!