Eclipsing Doubt Series

SACRED TRADITIONS REMIND ME THAT I BELONG TO GOD

At that time the Lord said to Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again." [3] So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth.

[4] Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt--all the men of military age--died in the desert on the way after leaving Egypt. [5] All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the desert during the journey from Egypt had not. Joshua 5:2-5 (NIV)

Tee Up Water Baptism Here (December 12-13) If I want God’s solutions in my life—I’ve got to get my feet wet.

On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. Joshua 5:10 (NIV)

GOD IS RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW

Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?"

[14] "Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come." Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?" Joshua 5:13-14 (NIV)

I’ve got to get my feet wet…I believe that God is right here with me. Right now!

ACT ON GOD’S GUIDANCE DESPITE THE RISKS

Then the Lord said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. [3] March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. [4] Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. [5] When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in." Joshua 6:2-5 (NIV)

From a military point of view, this isn’t much of a battle plan. Patton would have passed out. But where is the source of power? It’s from God..right. This plan emphasizes that. God has to do something for this plan to succeed. But the soldiers of Israel must do something also. They’ve got to get their feet wet before God will knock down those walls.

Why go through all this? Couldn’t God has just said, “Watch this.” What’s the point of making the soldiers walk around the city and the priests blowing the trumpet…They’re getting their feet wet! By stepping out in faith like this, they’re saying, “God we trust you! Despite the uncertainty, despite the risk, despite the doubts, we will step out in faith and get our feet wet marching around this city.”

What would have happened if the soldiers refused? What would have happened if after three days they said…”nothing’s happening here. I feel silly. This is dangerous. I quit.”

GOD WON’T FORGET YOUR FAITH

Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, "Go into the prostitute’s house and bring her out and all who belong to her, in accordance with your oath to her." Joshua 6:22 (NIV)

Call To Salvation Here