On My Mind...
Joshua and the people of Israel were on the outskirts of Jericho. Israel had crossed the Jordan in miraculous fashion and war was just hours away. Just ahead of the encamped Israelites towered the great city of Jericho. Most of the Israelites had never seen a walled city. Joshua was restless. I’m sure he would have loved to have talked to Moses, but Moses was dead. The mantle of leadership now rested on Joshua. Joshua slipped out of camp to talk with God in the quiet of the night. Something flashed before him. There stood a warrior in full battle dress. His sword drawn. A less courageous man would have run but not Joshua. Instead, he asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” “Neither! I am the commander of the army of the LORD.” This encounter would become a milestone in the life of Joshua and the people of God. God commanded His people to conquer the land. Obstacle #1 was the walled city of Jericho. This was at the beginning! This was not work up to this big test, this was how the battle was to begin. Our LORD graciously taught Joshua, and us, an important lesson. The issue is not, whose side is the LORD on? But rather, who is on the LORD’s side. Courageous faith demands a proper allegiance and a proper perspective.
This becomes apparent with what happened next. God gives Joshua instruction about how to conduct the campaign. Not lay siege to the city and starve them out. Not use battering rams and ladders, scale the walls and overpower the enemy. Go, walk around the city once a day for 6 days. On day 7, go around 7 times then blow horns and shout. The walls will fall down, then take the city. In my imagination I see Joshua’s jaw on the ground, his eyes wide open and there is the sound of crickets. “Wait. What? You want…what now?” That’s crazy, that’s not a plan. That’s a joke. That’s suicide. “Take the ark of the covenant, My presence, and know I have given Jericho into your hand.” “I have given,” past tense. It’s a done deal. Joshua and the children of Israel obeyed to the last detail. Jericho fell and great was its fall! The writer of Hebrews says, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days” (Hebrews 11:30).
This is the life of faith. How does turning the other cheek accomplish God’s purpose? How is it, my praying for those who persecute me and despitefully use me advance the kingdom of God? At times the commands of our God seem foolish. They are often contrary to our understanding. They fly in the face of conventional wisdom. His ways are not our ways, neither are His thoughts or thoughts. But faith obeys the Word of the Lord. And every now and then courageous faith overcomes overwhelming odds in a most unlikely way. We live in dark and difficult times. The problems of our age seem so complicated. We think the answer must be equally complicated. Preaching, praying, loving and serving seem a foolish response to such deep and difficult problems. But this is the will of God. We are called to faithfulness. How did they obey despite the ridicule? How did they keep their mouths shut and endure the mocking? How did they continue the silly parade which couldn’t possibly have any destructive effect on those walls? They had faith. The assurance of the things hoped for and the conviction of things they could not see. My God grant us faith to keep our hands firmly on the plow, and with patience and resolve, remain focused on the task assigned leaving the outcome to His sovereign plan and purpose.
Have a blessed week and I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod
This becomes apparent with what happened next. God gives Joshua instruction about how to conduct the campaign. Not lay siege to the city and starve them out. Not use battering rams and ladders, scale the walls and overpower the enemy. Go, walk around the city once a day for 6 days. On day 7, go around 7 times then blow horns and shout. The walls will fall down, then take the city. In my imagination I see Joshua’s jaw on the ground, his eyes wide open and there is the sound of crickets. “Wait. What? You want…what now?” That’s crazy, that’s not a plan. That’s a joke. That’s suicide. “Take the ark of the covenant, My presence, and know I have given Jericho into your hand.” “I have given,” past tense. It’s a done deal. Joshua and the children of Israel obeyed to the last detail. Jericho fell and great was its fall! The writer of Hebrews says, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days” (Hebrews 11:30).
This is the life of faith. How does turning the other cheek accomplish God’s purpose? How is it, my praying for those who persecute me and despitefully use me advance the kingdom of God? At times the commands of our God seem foolish. They are often contrary to our understanding. They fly in the face of conventional wisdom. His ways are not our ways, neither are His thoughts or thoughts. But faith obeys the Word of the Lord. And every now and then courageous faith overcomes overwhelming odds in a most unlikely way. We live in dark and difficult times. The problems of our age seem so complicated. We think the answer must be equally complicated. Preaching, praying, loving and serving seem a foolish response to such deep and difficult problems. But this is the will of God. We are called to faithfulness. How did they obey despite the ridicule? How did they keep their mouths shut and endure the mocking? How did they continue the silly parade which couldn’t possibly have any destructive effect on those walls? They had faith. The assurance of the things hoped for and the conviction of things they could not see. My God grant us faith to keep our hands firmly on the plow, and with patience and resolve, remain focused on the task assigned leaving the outcome to His sovereign plan and purpose.
Have a blessed week and I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod