Two-minute read.
Victory comes from the Lord. Often, we think we did something, but in truth, God grants us success. Nothing Joshua and the Israelites could do in their power could bring down the walls of Jericho; they needed divine help. Can you imagine how ridiculous it must have felt to march around the city walls playing trumpets? What did the people inside the walls think? They never imagined their marches would lead to the townsfolk’s destruction. People probably made fun of the men as they marched around blowing their horns.
But then God.
When the army shouted on the seventh day, without lifting a weapon, the walls collapsed, the Israelites charged the city, and captured it. Obedience and perseverance paid off exactly as God said it would. Hope lived out. Trust exemplified. Faith rewarded. When the Lord leads the way, we will have victory.
In January, my pastor gave a message that set the tone for the year. Studying the book of Acts, we’re learning about the Holy Spirit and its power in our lives. During that message, I had a vision of the walls around my heart falling, like the walls of Jericho.
For the past few years, the Lord has led me on a transformation from the scared little girl, afraid of everything, to a woman walking by faith, trusting God. Ingrained behaviors had taught me how to keep people at arm’s length with words and actions. What my mother called a “mean streak.” Letting go of those protective mechanisms requires an act of the Lord. What I saw, and where I feel God leading me through worship and praise, will cause the remaining walls to fall.
And I want them to fall.
When we try to control the world and the events around us, we wear ourselves out. The Lord never meant for us to do the heavy lifting; He wants to do it for us. Complete surrender trusts God that whatever happens, He will get you through it. And you know what, He does. I’ve witnessed the Creator’s work time and again in my life. God doesn’t do things the way I would, and we should all praise Him for it. The Lord’s way works so much better than anything I could ever dream.
Identify the walls that need to come down in your life. Spend time in prayer, seeking God’s help. March around the walls with prayer and praise and watch them fall.
Journal Questions:
What “walls” need marching around in obedience?
When have you witnessed walls fall?
How has God done things differently than you would have done them?
Application:
Stay faithful in repetition — do the obedient thing again.
