The Sound That Shattered Walls

Joshua 1:9, "...Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Have you ever been faced with a situation that felt like there was no way around or out of? Maybe a mountain too high to climb or a circumstance that had such high walls you were sure there was no way to get to the other side. Even when the Lord promised good if you just made it through.

     I think as adults we've all been there at least once. In my years of marriage, I know my husband and I have faced a few mountains. Looking back now, I see the good, I see how we made it through, I see the promises of the Lord and His supporting hand that helped us. But when we faced them, I struggled to see it. We did step out in faith, but I can't say our faith wasn't shaken.

     Joshua and Jericho is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. The Israelites had been wandering for years in the desert awaiting the promise of a prosperous land flowing with milk and honey. A place they could call home and grow in many ways. No more wandering, no more manna, a permanent home.

     Now as they are within reach of this long-awaited promise they come face to face with one more obstacle. A mountain that seems impossible to overcome. There in front of them was, what seemed, and destructible wall keeping them from all the good. I am sure their hearts were discouraged, some may have even struggled with doubt or even given up hope.

     It was at this time the Israelites received a message from God- Joshua 6:2. Now, it was up to them to trust and have faith choosing to take God at His word or fall to despair about their current situation.

     We can read about the awesome outcome in Joshua. In the end the Israelites trusted God, the walls came down, and they made it past the last obstacle to a better place. So, what are some lessons we can learn from this story.

1.     We must stay UNITED- Joshua 6:3-5

God's strategy to bring the walls down were quite unconventional to say the least. Yet, Joshua remained obedient and led the people making sure everyone agreed and UNITED in the plan and their trust in God. After days of silent marching, it was the final shouts of praise that brought the walls down. If the Israelites had broken the plan in any way, I think, the walls may not have crumbled. As Christians, we need to remain UNITED in God's will doing as He has asked so at the right time He will come again, bringing satan down.

2.     The walls WILL be brought down- Romans 8:3, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

When you have God's word it won't matter what walls or obstacles stand in your way. Nothing can stop us from achieving God's plan in our life, when God's involved. We simply need to move forward in faith, trusting God is leading the charge.

3.     We cannot yield to INTIMIDATION- 2 Corinthians 4:8

The enemy will come at us hard and loud. He will try to intimidate us by bringing up our past failures and mistakes. He will try to convince us that we're not worthy enough for God. Yet, God will always love us despite our pasts, and He calls us to a brighter future. When we choose to follow and TRUST God at His word, He will step in and fight on our behalf. Our setbacks are God's setups for a better future for us.

4.     Walls become GATEWAYS to the promise- Joshua 6:20

We can learn from this story that when we overcome, whatever stood in our way will actually become a gateway to God's promise for us. When the walls crumbled, they became stepping stones for the Israelites to enter the promised land. So, it can be with us. Don't let opposition intimidate you. Instead, use them as stepping stones to your promised land

5.     We must RELEASE a new SOUND of victory- 2 Corinthians 1:20

The walls came down not with cannons or explosives but with the unusual resounding shouts of voices and ram horns blowing. Can you imagine the sheer volume, when on the 7th day of marching that sound began to ring loudly through the skies. The Israelites in united faith, working with our BIG GOD, saw this mighty, immovable wall crumble to the ground. When faced with any obstacle, mountain, or unmovable wall let your praises and amens to our BIG GOD, ring loud and clear. Your faith and God's faithfulness will bring the walls down.

6.     It's NOT by our might or power- Zachariah 4:6b

It was God who instructed Joshua how to win the battle, and it was God who brought the walls down. God has already promised to fight our battles and go before us. To think we can do anything of our own strength or wisdom would be foolish. No matter what we face we NEED our Savior to go before us, and we NEED His strength and wisdom.

7.     We must SURRENDER to God’s Lordship- Colossians 3:17

Afterwards Joshua immediately made the decision that all of Jericho’s plunder belonged to God. Not because God needed it, but because it was a way to honor God and put Him first and foremost in their victory. In all our victories we need to remember to put God first, honoring and thanking Him for faithfully providing and helping us through.

     I simply think this is a great story but after this time studying it fresh, I also believe it is a powerful story. At every stage in the Israelites journey we can see God faithfully leading and guiding His children. Yes, they doubted, they struggled, they got discouraged, maybe their hope and faith faltered. Yet, despite everything, God never left them, kept them safe, and faithfully kept His promises.

     As Christians and children of God we have been given the same hedge of protection and the Lord will never abandon us, even when we stumble or doubt when an obstacle seems impossible. Today, choose to keep trusting and obeying God and His instructions, even when they sound unusual. Trust the Lord and your ‘walls’ will come crumbling down leaving only stepping stones to God's promises for you.

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