Today’s Reading: Joshua 6, Mark 11:1-11; Psalm 118
Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go out or in. But the Lord said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors. You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams’ horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town.” — Joshua 6:1-5
Joshua obediently took these instructions to the priests. He told them to choose seven priests from among them to blow their ram’ horn while they marched around the city. Some of the armed men would walk ahead of them and some would walk behind the Ark. With the Ark of the Covenant just behind them in the parade, they would be “marching in the presence of the Lord” (6:8). They would not be alone; God would be with them.
AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD
God’s people were told to not say a word until they were given the command. The only thing that would be heard is the sound of the seven priests blowing their horns and the sound of their feet. This was not a sneak attack but rather a 6-day display in front of their enemies. The Israelite army followed the Lord’s instructions, while their enemies watched in confusion and fear.
Because they chose to be patient and obey, God’s people experienced AMAZING things. On the seventh day, they marched around the town seven times with the priests blowing the horns. When they gave one final long blast, all the people began to shout as loud as they could, just as the Lord had instructed Joshua.
Suddenly the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it. — Joshua 6:20b
Do you want to see God do AMAZING things in your life as much as I do? Do you have walls that need to come down in your life, or strongholds that need to be broken? I encourage you to invite God to lead you — ask the Lord to join you as you walk around your Jericho. Even when His promptings seem ridiculous or require a great amount of faith, choose today to march around the WALLS and allow God to start bringing them down.
At that time Joshua invoked this curse: “May the curse of the Lord fall on anyone who tries to rebuild the town of Jericho…” – Joshua 6:26a
AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD
Once God has destroyed the walls in our lives, or set us free from the strongholds that keep us from fully experiencing His promises, do not allow them to be rebuilt. Do not look back or allow the enemy to keep you attached to the things the Lord has healed in your life. If God has forgiven you, acknowledge the rubble without rebuilding the walls. Be strong and courageous, choosing freedom rather than fear.
In my distress I prayed to the Lord,
and the Lord answered me and set me free.
The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear…
This is the day that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:5-6a,24
Heavenly Father, we give you this day. Almighty God, we feel blessed to spend time in your presence. Reveal to us today the walls that we have seen as immovable and give us the faith to follow your lead and the voice to SHOUT out in confidence. We pray that you will bring down the walls of our Jerichos and teach us to trust you with the deepest hurts and biggest challenges in our lives. Amen.
As we move into a weekend full of Easter celebrations, may we find ourselves shouting our praise to the One whose triumphant entry has made an incredible impact on our lives. May our worship of the risen Savior break down walls and knock down the strongholds in our lives. Praise God for ALL He has done for us, for the transformation He has caused in us, and for the beautiful impact He has on others when He shines through us!
AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD
Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,
“Praise God!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David!
Praise God in highest heaven!” – Mark 11:8-10