“Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.’” John 11:25 NLT
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The story is told of another miracle perform by Jesus in the eleventh chapter of the gospel of John. It is also the basis for His fifth “I AM.” This particular one is perhaps the greatest of them all. Jesus raised a person from the dead, one who had been dead four days. The person was Lazarus, a very close and personal friend of Jesus along with Lazarus’s sisters Mary and Martha. When Jesus heard that his friend Lazarus was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was before he left in response to the news. (Jn.11:6) The question immediately comes to mind, why? Why did he wait two days?
Some have suggested that Jesus knew that Lazarus was already dead when the messenger’s arrived to tell Him that His friend was sick. Perhaps so, but there seems to be a deeper explanation. For those present at Lazarus’s resurrection and for those of us in our day, it is a matter of trust (or faith) in Jesus Christ. Do we believe He is in control of every portion of our lives, that He is never late, and that He loves us knowing what is best for us? Do we believe He is God the Son, and have faith that nothing is impossible for Him to do?
Raising Lazarus from the dead was not impossible for Jesus to do, He is the resurrection and the life. Jesus also said, “Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” (Jn.11:26 nlt) We are assured of a place in heaven and eternal life if we put our trust and faith in Jesus Christ, God the Son.
Jesus is speaking to you and me when He says, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, (insert your name)?” (Jn.11:25-26 nlt)
“The LORD said to Gideon, ‘You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength.’” Judges 7:2 NLT
The expression ‘One-percenters’ in our current day refers to the influential and affluent members of our society. It is estimated that 1% of the people living in the United States control about one-third of the nation’s wealth. The knock on the wealthy is that they are oblivious to the other 99% in the country. That may well be true, but there are many who contribute greatly to the welfare of society through job creation and donations. The one-percenters attribute much to the strength of the economy. This small number of wealthy people accomplish much.
Gideon had the opportunity to be part of a one-percenter group for the Lord in his day. Economically, Gideon was one of the 99%. Israel was under control of the Midianites for their rebellion against God. They ravaged their crops and stole all their sheep, goats, cattle, and donkeys. “So Israel was reduced to starvation by the Midianites. Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD for help.” (Jdg.6:6 nlt) The Lord recruited Gideon to lead an army against the Midianites to free them from their oppression.
Feeling confident of his mission Gideon set out with his army of 32,000. But the Lord wanted to trim down the marching force lest they take pride in themselves. The Lord first told Gideon to release those who were too timid or afraid to go into battle and 22,000 left. The army was reduced to 30% but the Lord wanted to do more trimming. Then came the big test. God told Gideon to lead his men down to the water and observe how they took a drink and 29% of the army were sent home. Gideon had 300 soldiers left, the one-percenters. “The LORD told Gideon, ‘With these 300 men I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites.’” (Jdg.7:7a nlt)
It is unimaginable to think that an army being reduced from 32,000 down to 300 could achieve victory. We would not be wrong in thinking that for in our own strength it is impossible, but it is the Lord God who fights our battles. So, whatever your predicament might be today, you may a one-percenter, but the Lord provides the other 99% as we put our trust in Him.
“But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.” Daniel 6:10 NLT
The United States has had its share of civil disobedience since its independence. Defined by Merrian-Webster as “refusal to obey governmental demands or commands especially as a nonviolent and usually collective means of forcing concessions from the government” has been used by people over the years for a vast range of issues. Some examples of civil disobedience in the United States include, Susan B. Anthony arrested for illegally voting in the 1872, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man on an Alabama bus in 1955, the Vietnam war period had many protests resulting in civil disobedience, and the pro-life movement has been actively involved in similar demonstrations having led to civil disobedience. Is all civil disobedience legitimate disobedience? Being obedient to holy God, the ultimate ruler and authority, in standing up for the truth spelled out in His word is what is expected from every Christian.
Our study in the book of Daniel presented us with an example of ‘legitimate disobedience’ in chapter 3. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down and worship the golden stature King Nebuchadnezzar set up. These three were notable officials in the king’s court and yet took the stand of refusing to worship anything or anyone other than the true God. Legitimate disobedience to those in authority has its consequences as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego found out. The Lord God delivered them from harm in the fiery furnace, however they did not know that would in fact be the case. They still took a righteous stand for God.
As we approach chapter 6, we have another encounter of ‘legitimate disobedience.’ Darius the Mede was king who divided his kingdom into 120 provinces with officials over each one and three administrators over all the officials. Daniel was one of the three administrators and soon to be promoted to the top position in the empire due to expertise and work ethic. His two colleagues and some of the officials resented a Jewish captive holding such a high position and tried to find some dirt on him. “Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.” (Dan. 6:4nlt) When their efforts failed, they devised a plan to get rid of him.
Daniel’s conspirators came up with a foolproof plan guaranteed to bring him down. They were aware of Daniel’s work ethic and loyalty to Darius the king, but they were also aware of his devotion to the God of heaven he prayed to three times a day as was his practice. The officials brought a proposal to the king in the guise of total agreement of all of them (note Daniel wasn’t there) “……that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions.” (Dan. 6:7nlt) Laws passed in the Medo-Persian empire were unchangeable and could not be reversed even by himself once he signed it, and he signed this one. They had him, or so they thought.
Living in Babylon today is not much different than Daniel’s day. Our conspirators today use the same tactics to overthrow us and bring us down. Authentic Christianity today lived out is guaranteed to upset those who hold to a secular worldview. Secularists despise those of faith in authority. They will expose a conviction held by Christians in a negative light, even pursing legal action to remove and discredit them. Unfortunately, there are many who cave and compromise.
Daniel is an example needed in our world today. He did not cave. His enemies knew he wouldn’t. Their plan was foolproof for they knew of Daniel’s integrity and convictions. “Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. So they went straight to the king and reminded him about his law.” (Dan. 6:11-12a nlt) King Darius also knew Daniel would not give in when the officials reported Daniel’s continued prayer habits. “Hearing this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament.” (Dan. 6:14 nlt) Darius realized he was used by those who wanted Daniel dead, the most competent and loyal administrator he had.
We know the rest of the story. The king had no choice but to have Daniel thrown into the lion’s den but had hope that Daniel’s God would save him. (Dan. 6:16) We know God did indeed save him by sending an angel to shut the lion’s mouths, but again as with Daniel’s three friends thrown into the fiery furnace, he did not know if God would save him, but knew that He could. Daniel took a courageous stand of ‘legitimate disobedience’ for he was not about to let any authority prevent him from praying to the Lord God. A foolproof plan today only works against us if we become a Daniel and hold to our convictions, not cave, or compromise trusting God for the outcome in whether He will deliver us. Do we have the courage to do more than civil disobedience, but to stand for God in ‘legitimate disobedience?’
March is ‘Women’s History Month.” There have been many women in evangelical circles over the years who have done tremendous work for the cause of Christ. A very notable woman in the advancing of the gospel throughout the world is Elizabeth Elliot. Born in Brussels, Belgium in 1926 to missionary parents, she herself became a missionary to the Auca/Waodani tribe in the Amazonian jungle of Ecuador. First with her husband, Jim Elliot, and then as a single mother after her husband’s death.
It was January 8, 1956, when Jim Elliot and four other missionaries were speared to death in an effort to make contact the Auca/Waodani tribe. Two years later, Elizabeth returned with her 3-year-old daughter and Rachel Saint the sister of Nate Saint who was also killed in the attack of the missionaries. They led many to Christ during their stay before returning to the states in 1963. Elizabeth published her 2nd and 3rd books while serving among the Aucas in Ecuador.
Elizabeth Elliot went on to write over 20 books. She was an adjunct professor at Gordon-Conwell Seminary, and hosted a daily radio program, ‘Gateway to Joy,’ for twelve years beginning in 1988. Through all her accomplishments in serving the Lord, it was her time in Ecuador returning to the same people who killed her husband and presenting the gospel of Christ that has sealed her place in history. The Museum of the Bible in Washington, D. C. opened ‘The Elisabeth Elliot Exhibit’ on March 30, 2023.
What would cause someone to return to the very place and to the same people who murdered their husband? In her own words Elizabeth had said, “Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them.” She took her questions to God and He answered them. Having a deep love for Jesus, her savior, she wanted to share that love. Elizabeth wrote, “The deepest things that I have learned in my own life have come from the deepest suffering. And out of the deepest waters and the hottest fires have come the deepest things I know about God.” This she also shared with her readers, radio audience, and those who heard her lectures. You are loved with an everlasting love.
The author of the book of Hebrews in the New Testament explains “faith” in this way, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1 RSV) In other words, it is the divine assurance that what is unseen is actual reality rather than what is hoped for. Jesus after lecturing the disciples about money gives them a slight rebuke while encouraging them not to worry about the future in saying, “O men of little faith?” (Mt. 6:30 RSV) Worrying about future needs unnecessarily would have taken away their focus on what is really important, the kingdom of God. Our Lord wanted them to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” and be assured that their needs would be met in the process.
Many of us today would fall into the same category of needing a rebuke from our Lord not to worry as He exclaims, “You of little faith!” Perhaps it is our natural tendency to see only what is in front of us and surmising the possibility of an unfavorable future. The Lord will not rebuke us for planning and preparing for the future as He has given us skills and gifted us with the means to provide for ourselves, our families, and for others in need. But what the Lord will indeed rebuke us for is making that our number one priority above everything else, especially the kingdom of God. Lack of faith in God providing for us will lead us into a life of self-sufficiency and the anxiety that goes along with it. Our Lord makes it clear it doesn’t need to be that way.
Jesus emphasizes God’s care for the birds of the air and lilies of field in comparison to His disciples and to us. If God cares enough about His smallest of creatures and feeds them, and cares about the beauty of His creation of the fields that He continuing clothes them with lilies, He will provide for us. O that we will seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and not hear the Lord say to us ‘you of little faith’!
“Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.’” Daniel 3:28 NLT
The third chapter of the book of Daniel records the first of two favorite children Sunday School stories found in Daniel. Of course, I’m referring to the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. As the story goes, these three young men, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (their Hebrew names) refused to bow down and worship the gold statue Nebuchadnezzar had erected. The king demanded worship of the statue at the instant of hearing musical instruments. Any who refused would be thrown into a blazing fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were willing to die than to worship any pagan gods, even a golden statue set up by the king himself.
I’m sure Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn’t anticipate this tragic event happening. They were in obedience to the Lord in participating for the welfare of Babylon, their new home. They were also in Nebuchadnezzar’s service as a few of the most educated and wisest officials in the king’s court. But they were living in a pagan culture with no regard for the God of the Hebrews, the true God, and was governed by a ruler who was as fickle as the weather.
King Nebuchadnezzar had earlier praised the God of Heaven for revealing his dream to him through Daniel, but he quicky forgot God. He elevated himself by erecting a statue overlaid in gold to represent himself and his kingdom as in his dream, the head of gold in chapter 2. An announcement was made to gather all the officials of Nebuchadnezzar’s empire to pledge their allegiance in the dedication of the golden statue. “Then he sent messages to the high officers, officials, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the provincial officials to come to the dedication of the statue he had set up.” (Dan. 3:2 NLT) The king demanded worship of the golden statue which represented his kingdom, but also possibly the god Nabu meaning ‘Nabu, protect my son!’, or ‘Nabu, protect my boundary!’ The Jewish people were truly living in a pagan culture, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will soon find out how much it would cost them.
Much like in our day with the tolerance, D.E.I., reproductive rights, and hate speech police watching every move of Bible believing Christians, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had their own thought police keeping tabs on them. Their colleagues in the king’s court blew the whistle on them. Daniel 3:8 &12 says, “But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews…. But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.” (NLT) Naturally these men were jealous and envied the three Hebrew officials who had a higher rank than them. Not only did they have powerful positions, but they did not bow down to the cultural demands of Babylon. Those in authority today are under supreme pressure to compromise to get along with the culture, but it also comes at a high cost, not only affecting themselves but others as well.
When brought before the king; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had their minds made up. They didn’t need to think or pray about what their answer would be. “(They) replied, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you……Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.’” (Dan. 3:16, 18b) The king was furious by their outright refusal not to obey an order he had given. Not to be humiliated in front of those who were present he ordered them to be thrown into the blazing furnace. God miraculously saved them sending an angel in the heated furnace. Not a hair on their head was singed, nor the smell of smoke on them. But going in, they did not know if God would indeed save them.
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We haven’t yet reached that point in our present-day Babylon in the United States, but other believers in other parts of the world have and will continue to do so. Perhaps it’s only a matter of time before we are faced with a Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego experience. But if or when we are, will we be willing to die saying, “that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
“No doctrine is more important to evangelical theology than the doctrine of justification by faith alone—the Reformation principle of sola fide. Martin Luther rightly said that the church stands or falls on this one doctrine.” John MacArthur
“The doctrine of justification by faith is like Atlas: it bears a world on its shoulders, the entire evangelical knowledge of saving grace.” J. I. Packer
We have come to the fourth sola of the ‘Five Solas’ of the Reformation period, ‘sola fide’ or (faith alone.) Simply put, it is by faith alone with nothing added, in Christ Jesus alone, that we enter into a saving relationship with Him securing our salvation. The apostle Paul writes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” (Eph. 2:8 ESV) A part of the gift God gives to us is the gift of faith to believe. We would not believe on our own, nor would we have the faith to do so. God grants it to us. Paul goes on further to say, “not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2:9 ESV) There is nothing we can do to work our way into heaven. It is all by God’s grace alone to us through faith alone and nothing else.
It is amazing that God sees us as righteous through His Son as we put our faith in Him. Our righteousness and justification comes only through Jesus Christ and what He accomplished in our place on Calvary’s cross. The Devotional series “Heart of the Reformation” notes, “Faith alone preserves the truth that the Lord is our only Savior. Faith looks outside of ourselves and only to Jesus as the Redeemer.” Again, there is nothing we can do to gain righteousness and be justified before God except through Jesus Christ. We are sinful creatures with a sin nature and find it impossible to keep any of God’s commandments. We could never accumulate enough good deeds to be seen as righteous in God’s eyes and earn our way to heaven. Dr. R. C. Sproul notes, “The question is not whether we are going to be saved through works; the question is whose works. We saved through the works of the one who alone fulfilled the terms of the covenant works.” We are to believe in faith the works of Christ on our behalf, and believe in faith alone!
In Jesus’s parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Lk.18:9-14), Jesus points out to those who thought themselves to be righteous that they were not. The so-called righteous Pharisee in his prayer exalted himself by saying, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.’ The tax collector’s prayer was a humbling response, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ Jesus explained, ‘I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other.’ It couldn’t be clearer, Jesus is stating justification is by faith alone and not by works. “Martin Luther rightly said that the church stands or falls on this one doctrine.”
“Just as the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses.” Joshua 11:15 ESV
There will come a time in your new surroundings of your new territory where you will reach a comfortability level, mine is usually around the three to four month range. I hesitate to use the word ‘completion’ for in reality we are never completely finish with anything as long as we have breath. But becoming comfortable in your new territory is a sign you have been faithful in obeying God in His leading. You will see how the Lord directed as you look back over your introduction period. It is also a time to review if there is anything you may have left on the table, anything left undone that God has instructed you to do during your settling in to your new place.
We look again to Joshua and the nation Israel as this study comes to a close. Israel had been led to the shores of the Jordan River after forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Leadership was passed down from Moses to Joshua to lead the people into the Promised Land. A side note here; the tribes of the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had already received their inheritance on the west side of the Jordan which is also part of the Promised Land. However, the fighting men from each tribe were to accompany their brothers in battle of conquering the new territory returning when the land was in control.
Under Joshua’s leadership from the Lord’s commands Israel had great success as God opened up the Jordan River for them crossing over safely. They were led to victory over Jericho as the walls surrounding the city fell down flat. With the Lord’s miraculous help Joshua and the nation Israel continued clearing the land of their enemies until they had control of it. Overall, Israel was able to accomplish this as they followed God’s instructions of being strong, courageous, faithful and obedient to His commands.
Several insights from God’s Word, apart from being strong, courageous, faithful, and obedient, were noted throughout the last ten weeks to encourage us in conquering our new territory. We learned not to dismiss those in our lives God has placed there, such as Rahab, the harlot. They may very well be used in aiding us through the tough terrain. Being totally committed to following the Lord and His instructions is vital. Joshua and the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord were totally committed as they set their feet in the waters of the Jordan River during flood stage and the people followed. (Perhaps you are setting an example for others by stepping out into the impossible, but possible with God) Remembering what the Lord has done for us also serves as an example and encouragement to others as they witness our lives.
Our most important insight; Continual prayer and worshiping God is the foundation to our relationship with the one who is leading us in our move into our new territory. It is where we find the faith, strength, courage, and obedience to carry on, especially when things get tough as we saw last week with Israel faced with fighting a coalition of five armies. Above all, we have seen the faithfulness of God in supporting and fighting for Israel in entering the land that God had promised them they would be enter and would be theirs. We have also seen the forgiveness and restoration provided to us when we disobey and sin against God. It doesn’t alter His plans for us. It may set us back, but His plans still prevails
If you have already reached your comfortability level in your new territory, or still have a ways to go, one last insight for you to remember when getting there. Leave nothing undone. The Bible tells of Joshua leaving nothing undone. “Just as the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses.” (Jos. 11:15 ESV) Joshua followed through on all he was commanded and led to do. We are to do the same. Look carefully, observe well, and notice anything that may have been put aside for later but now needs to be done. Leave nothing undone and settle peaceably in the new territory God has for you. He has placed you there. He has plans for you there.
“So Joshua took control of the entire land, just as the LORD had instructed Moses. He gave it to the people of Israel as their special possession, dividing the land among the tribes. So the land finally had rest from war.” (Jos. 15:23 NLT)
“There has never been a day like this one before or since, when the LORD answered such a prayer. Surely the LORD fought for Israel that day!” Joshua 10:14 NLT
Moving into a new stage in life is difficult as we have been examining for several weeks now. Adjustments need to be made, accepted, and adhered to. Wisdom in determining your priorities are essential in on-going decision making as you proceed through your new territory. All these under the direction of God who is leading you through it with your faith, courage, obedience and trust in Him. Managing through the tough times with the Lord’s help is such an encouragement and motivates us to keep going as well feel His blessings. We are thankful for His help and guidance for even the small things, for even the small things add up to a big thing. And sometimes a big thing can be so overwhelming you cannot imagine or see your way through it. But God has not stopped leading you and is about to see you through as only He can.
Joshua and the nation of Israel had been under the Lord’s guidance through a miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, conquering the city of Jericho and Ai after a second attempt due to their sin. They had partaken of the fruit of the land as the manna stopped once settled in the Promised Land. They were beginning to feel confident and comfortable in their position leading them to make the mistake of not seeking the Lord in a matter they deemed a small thing. That small thing of making a treaty with Gibeon turned out to be a big thing. We at times begin to get over confident when things go well for us forgetting that it is the Lord who is accomplishing His work through us. Although this gets us into a mess at times, the Lord has not abandon us and will see us through as He did for Joshua and Israel.
In Joshua chapter 10 we learn that five surrounding cities have allied together to attack Gibeon who made the treaty with Israel. Gibeon fearful of the outcome sought Joshua and Israel for their help in this battle. But now instead of fighting one city at a time, Israel was faced with the five armies of the Amorite kings at once. Overconfidence by trusting in ourselves does not always work to our advantage as Israel is about to find out.
Our Lord is gracious to us even in our downfalls. He was gracious to Joshua and his fighting men as they approached the battle scene. A message from the Lord that was very familiar was spoken once again, “’Do not be afraid of them,’ the LORD said to Joshua, ‘for I have given you victory over them. Not a single one of them will be able to stand up to you.’” (Jos. 10:8 NLT) Once again Joshua is assured victory with the Lord’s help. The Bible says God threw the invading armies in a panic and Joshua and his men slaughtered them in great numbers. The Lord God also sent a hail storm upon the retreating Amorite armies killing more of them than were killed in battle with Joshua. The Lord indeed was fighting for Israel. As much as a miracle that was, Joshua receives another miracle as an answer to his prayer marking this as his miraculous day.
Joshua prayed, “’….Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.’ So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies.” (Jos. 10:12b-13a NLT) What a spectacular event! The sun stood in its place allowing Joshua’s army additional daylight and time to defeat their enemies. There are several theories as to the meaning of the sun standing still. Some say an eclipse of the sun occurred providing them with shade, others view it as language of observation in that Joshua’s army only felt the day was longer as they were able to accomplish the victory, and then others as myself, claim that the sun did indeed stand still. It was a miracle by the creator God who spoke the universe into existence now suspended the earth from rotating in its normal pattern for a day.
If you are currently in a bad place in your new territory by your own doing and see no way out way of the tunnel you drove yourself into, ask the Lord to help you see the His light at the end of that tunnel. Ask Him to extend the daylight in your battle, whatever it is, long enough for you to see clearly His direction and allow Him to continue to fight your battles. Do not get overconfident in trusting yourself and end up in bad place, but if you do ask the Lord to extend to you, ‘your miraculous day.’
“But the LORD said to Joshua, ‘I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors.’” Joshua 6:2 NLT
Chapter 6 of the book of Joshua in the Old Testament contains a familiar story many adults remember from their Sunday school days as a child. Children being taught the story of the battle of Jericho today will have the same memories along with memories from many other children stories through the many children books available to them. The major difference with the story of the battle of Jericho is that it is a true, real life story from the pages of the Bible. Most children books present many life lessons through reaching youngsters at their age level, stories in Scripture do much the same thing with stories such as of the battle of Jericho.
Children’s Bible stories often have a way of helping us later in our adult life in situations we find difficult to handle. Navigating through our series of conquering new territory we now find ourselves at the cusp of going into battle removing the obstacles and distractions in entering the territory God has for us. The Promised Land of Canaan is where the Lord wanted His people to be and they are about to enter and settle in it. This will now be their toughest part of the journey. It will involve many major physical battles to take over the land. The first battle will be in conquering the city of Jericho, but take note what the Lord had said, “But the LORD said to Joshua, ‘I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors.’” (Jos. 6:2 NLT) Joshua did not need to draw up a battle plan in taking Jericho. The Lord’s plan would suffice, He has already given them Jericho. They only needed to follow the Lord’s command. It was God’s battle and not theirs.
We have noted to successfully conquer new territory we need to have faith, courage, obedience, and devotion to Word of God. The nation of Israel needed to apply all of the above, but needed particularly to have strong faith for they were about to witness some unconventional battle plans-the Lord God’s battle plans. Joshua was instructed to march around the city of Jericho once each day for six days with his army, the priests, and the Ark of the Lord. On the seventh day they were to march around the city seven times with the priests blowing their horns. Joshua then gave the command for all the people to shout and the walls of the city of Jericho fell down flat. Having the city completely surrounded before the walls fell, they were now in positions to overrun the city from every direction.
If the Lord has unconventional plans as part of your transition, accept them and have the faith that God knows what He is doing. Israel was obedient to God having faith in Him from the experience of crossing the Jordan River. Rely on previous blessings and the things the Lord has done for you so far in your journey into your new territory. He has brought you this far and he is not going to abandon you or allow to fend for yourself. The Ark of the Lord symbolized to Israel that the Lord God was with them, leading them, and He was the one who would conquer the city. They only needed to have faith, courage, and obey. The Lord God is also with you and is still leading you, so trust Him in His unconventional plans.
The Lord will reward your faithfulness as He did for Rahab when she hid and protected the men who came to spy out the city. We read in Joshua 6:22, “Joshua said to the two spies, ‘Keep your promise. Go to the prostitute’s house and bring her out, along with all her family.’” (NLT) Take notice of the miracle within the miracle. When the walls around Jericho collapsed, the portion of the wall which housed Rahab did not fall, it was still standing. Walls around you may be collapsing, but it could very well be the Lord rewarding your faith in trusting Him. The dust will settle. You’ll soon be in your Promised Land. Remember the battle is not yours, the battle belongs to the Lord.
Word for the Soul 