Facing Our Jericho

FACING OUR JERICHO

Over the past three weeks, we have been studying the book of Joshua. We have found truths here that have given us great hope and comfort in the midst of our great pain. We have seen God’s hand at work, not only in the lives of the children of Israel, but we’ve seen His hand at work in ours as well.

We’ve witnessed God’s great power during these past few weeks. Power that has sustained us, comforted us, directed us and continues to do so. Three weeks ago, we talked about how God called His children to press on. Out of Joshua 1, He called his people to rise up and face the challenge, to cross the Jordan, even in the midst of their sorrow and grief.

Two weeks ago, we discussed HOW we would cross this Jordan. We claimed the promises of Joshua 3 and 4. We talked about how only through Christ can we cross. Only through Christ will we have the power. Only through Christ, will we have the strength. Not in our own power. NOT I, BUT CHRIST within us.

Last week, we discussed WHY we must cross this Jordan. We talked about God’s great plan for us. About how He has a brand new PROVISION for us, a brand new VISION for us, and a brand new ENCOUNTER with Him. Why must we cross this river? Because God is just on the other side, waiting with open arms, to give us the land of which he promised to us.

So, we’ve discussed WHAT we’re supposed to do. We’ve discussed HOW we’re supposed to do it. We discussed WHY we’re supposed to do it.

Today, we continue in Joshua and we ask the question WHEN? When must we carry on? When must we rise up? When must we get up and move forward? When does God expect us to fulfill His promise?

The answer is quite simple. The answer is, IN HIS TIMING. The answer is—When God Wants Us To!

All throughout scripture, both friends and foes of Jesus Christ made both good and evil requests of Jesus with the hopes of altering the timetable of God – but every single person left knowing that the timetable of God could not be altered.

In John Chapter 2, Mary, the mother of Jesus, wanted Jesus to perform a miracle without considering if Jesus had a better plan. Afterwards, she witnessed God’s plan and concluded that from now on, “Whatever HE says, do it.”

In John Chapter 7, the brothers of Jesus, wanted Jesus to go to the temple courts and prove himself to the crowd. But Jesus waited until the crowds were of just the right number in the temple so as to offer protection from those who wanted to kill him. Jesus had a better plan.

In John Chapter 8, many haters of Jesus wanted to prematurely kill Him by stoning Him, but He ‘hid himself’ and escaped from their presence. Jesus had a better plan.

In Matthew 4 and Luke 4, Satan himself offered to give Jesus a false sense of victory by offering to relinquish his influence on all the nations of the world if Jesus would only by-pass the cross and bow down to him. But Jesus had a better plan.

In John Chapter 17, the crowds wanted to make Jesus King. Though a noble request, Jesus responded, “I have a better plan.”

You see, God has a perfect plan for our lives. A plan that has perfect timing. God’s timing. So many times we try to follow God’s plan, we try to do what God wants us to do, BUT we try to do it in our own timing. And when we do, we rarely accomplish all that God wants us to accomplish.

And what is even more frightening, is that the more we do not trust God’s timing, the more we will begin to distrust God’s care for us!

It is an unfortunate reality that when our faith in God becomes weak, we will tend to question His care for our lives. Remember this spiritual principle: “Feeble Faith always makes us question His care for us!”

This is so clearly seen in Mark Chapter 4 when the Disciples found themselves in the middle of a storm together on a boat. Mark Chapter 4 verses 37-40 says:

37And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?