The Wall Will Fall-Wwf

How we face the challenges of life will determine whether we are overcome or become overcome-ers.

• Book of Joshua is the sixth book of the Old Testament and it records the entry of the Jews into the Promised Land . . . the land they still occupy to some extent.

• We are going to look at this book because it is the story of how the Children of Israel faced the task of taking the land God had promised them.

The book of Joshua follows directly on the heels of the book of Deuteronomy.

• The books of Exodus through Deuteronomy record the time when Moses led the Israelites (the descendents of Jacob, later called “Israel”).

• Exodus records how God led the people out of slavery in Egypt and the giving of the Law.

• Leviticus explained God’s regulations for worship and God’s standard of holiness.

• Numbers tells us how God originally led Moses and the children of Israel to the land that He had promised to them.

• They sent twelve spies into the land to bring back a report. One of those spies was Joshua.

God made three promises to Abraham:

– Nation

– Land

– Seed

• While in Egyptian bondage, Abraham’s descendents grew into a nation; leaving, they became a free people.

Now the nation of Israel needs a home, and God is preparing to deliver on His second promise

• Joshua is the foremost character in the book that bears his name.

• God names Joshua to be Moses’ successor (1:5-9).

• God tells Joshua to be of good courage because He will not forsake him.

In three days, they will cross the River Jordan to claim their inheritance

Courage is not the absence of fear;

it is moving forward in spite of fear.

Courage is not not being afraid;

it is moving ahead even though you are afraid.

Gods Promise to Him:- "No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." Joshua could accept the challenge because he recognized God's promise to him.

? ISRAEL HAD A PROBLEM- the wall of Jericho

? ISRAEL HAD A PROMISE- God Promises Israel victory before the attack

? ISRAEL HAD A PARTNER- Israel’s partner none other than God himself

I. v.1 ISRAEL HAD A PROBLEM- the wall of Jericho

A. . Jericho is known as the oldest city in the world, in Joshua's day, it was surrounded by a system of two massive stone walls. The outer wall was 6 ft. thick and about 20 ft. high. The inner wall was about 12 ft. thick and was 30 ft. high. Between the walls was a guarded walkway about 15 ft. wide. Israel's problem was that they had a city to conquer, but there were some extremely huge walls in the way.

B. As we go through life, we have obstacles that we face as well. Perhaps it is a lost loved one we would like to see the Lord touch and save, a lost community over which we are burdened, a ministry from the Lord that we feel inadequate about, family trouble that tears at our hearts and leaves us wondering what to do, financial trouble that stresses us to the limits of our patience and faith, a besetting sin that constantly crops us in our life, or any of other a million things!)

C. We must learn not to look upon our obstacles as dead-ends, but as opportunities for the Lord to work in our lives!

The great Apostle Paul had such an obstacle - 2 Cor. 12:7-10 - This attitude is foreign to us this morning. Yet, we must come to realize that the power of God is best revealed in and through us when we are unable to handle life. God is more clearly visible when we are totally out of the picture! In a sense, that is what He did with Israel here. As we will see, He completely removed them from the equation! The victory at Jericho was all God!)

II. v.2 ISRAEL HAD A PROMISE- God Promises Israel victory before the attack

A. As Joshua and all the men of war stood looking at those walls around that great city, God had a word of comfort for their hearts! Here, God promises Israel the victory before they ever attack Jericho! He lets them know about the conclusion before they ever enter into their battle!

B. As we face our obstacles, whatever they may be we can do so with confidence, because we have the Lord's promises as banners to march under:

1. We Have His Promise That Our Weapons Are Powerful Through God - 2 Cor. 10:4-5.