Intro: God continuously moved to show his miraculous power in leading Israel toward His promises, so Joshua knew this next adventure into Canaan would reveal the supernatural work of God, as well. For example, the military strategy God uses for the battle of Jericho is peculiar: He orders the priests to march around the town with the Ark, seven priests blowing horns, and the military honor guard leading the way in order to keep them all silently focused on God. Can you imagine that line up being a strategy? Well, that is how God chose to lead Israel into this battle.
The people of Jericho must have viewed this all as very odd and a bit terrifying. They not only watched Israel march around their town for one day; they watched Israel encircle them for six days. None of this would make sense to the natural mind, so God must have placed great courage and endurance within his people for them to obediently follow these instructions. Every day they looked at the tremendous walls of the city; walls they knew they could never penetrate on their own.
Are you facing some walls that are intimidating you? Perhaps the battle is God’s and not yours and He wants to show you His power. So, the marching order are: focus on God, follow God’s instructions, reach for courage, and hang onto your endurance. God is faithful!
Joshua 6:6-11 NLT
6 So Joshua called together the priests and said, “Take up the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, and assign seven priests to walk in front of it, each carrying a ram’s horn.” 7 Then he gave orders to the people: “March around the town, and the armed men will lead the way in front of the Ark of the Lord.”
8 After Joshua spoke to the people, the seven priests with the rams’ horns started marching in the presence of the Lord, blowing the horns as they marched. And the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant followed behind them. 9 Some of the armed men marched in front of the priests with the horns and some behind the Ark, with the priests continually blowing the horns. 10 “Do not shout; do not even talk,” Joshua commanded. “Not a single word from any of you until I tell you to shout. Then shout!” 11 So the Ark of the Lord was carried around the town once that day, and then everyone returned to spend the night in the camp.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being faithful in your love and steadfast to fight evil in our behalf. Each day brings some form of battle and we are so grateful to have you in our lives. Keep us focused on you and obey even when we do not always understand. In Jesus’ name. Amen.