Explores the power of faith, obedience, and God's sovereignty through the biblical account of the fall of Jericho in Joshua 6.
Good morning, church family! It's a joy to gather together on this blessed day, under the banner of Christ's love, to delve into the richness of God's Word. We are, in essence, like miners, chipping away at the rock-hard surface of our understanding, to uncover the gold and precious gems of wisdom and revelation that the Lord has stored for us in His Word.
Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the book of Joshua, chapter 6. A chapter that is not just an account of a historical event, but a testament to the power of faith, obedience, and the undeniable sovereignty of our God. It's a chapter that reminds us of the power of God to bring down even the most fortified walls in our lives if we would but trust, obey, and follow His lead.
But before we delve into the Word, let me share with you a quote from the great man of God, Charles Spurgeon. He once said, "It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness." This, dear friends, is a truth that resonates with our study today. Joshua and the Israelites had little in terms of worldly possessions or military might, but they had an abundance of faith in God, and that was their victory.
As we look at the story of Joshua and the Israelites in Jericho, we see a group of people who were faced with a seemingly insurmountable obstacle. Jericho was a fortified city, with walls so high and thick that they seemed impenetrable. But God had promised them victory, and so they set out, not knowing exactly how God would deliver on His promise, but trusting that He would.
Their obedience: God gave them specific instructions on how to take the city. They were to march around the city once a day for six days, and on the seventh day, they were to march around seven times. Then, they were to blow their trumpets and shout, and the walls would come down. It was an unusual strategy, to say the least. It didn't involve weapons or warfare in the way we typically think of it. But the Israelites obeyed. They did exactly as God commanded, even though it must have seemed strange and even foolish to them.
A lesson for us: How often do we hesitate to obey God because His instructions don't make sense to us, or because we're afraid of what others will think? Yet, the Israelites' obedience led to a miraculous victory. The walls of Jericho didn't come down because of their strength or strategy, but because of their obedience to God's commands.
The importance of faith: The Israelites didn't know how God would deliver Jericho into their hands, but they believed that He would. They had faith in His promise, even when the circumstances seemed to suggest otherwise. This faith wasn't passive or complacent, but active and persistent. They didn't just sit back and wait for God to act, but they stepped out in faith, marching around the city day after day, trusting that God would do what He said He would do.
A challenge to us: It's easy to say we have faith when things are going well, when we can see the path ahead and it looks smooth and straight. But what about when the path is blocked by a fortified city, when we can't see how we'll overcome the obstacles in our way? That's when our faith is truly tested. And that's when we need to step out, to keep moving forward in faith, trusting that God will make a way.
As we continue to examine the narrative of Jericho, we find ourselves confronted with the city's journey ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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