Day 62
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| Obedience made Jericho Walls come Tumbling Down! |
Scripture
Observation
The jubilation that the people must have felt upon setting foot in the Promised Land is quickly tempered by the realization that there are still battles to be fought and won. Jericho, the first great military objective, proves no match for God's unorthodox tactics and obedient people. But one man's greed leads to a shattering setback at Ai and the needless slaughter of thirty-six Israelite soldiers. When at last the sin is discovered and dealt with decisively, God fights for his people in the rematch with Ai. Once the territory surrounding Mount Ebal is secured, Joshua pauses to offer sacrifices to God and to read again for the people all the words of God's law.
Application
Let's imagine the reaction of Joshua's lieutenants when they heard God's battle plan for toppling Jericho. "What? March around the city for a week blowing horns? That's ridiculous! We'll be the laughingstock of all Canaan!"
God never explains the why behind his unusual strategy against the walled city. Nevertheless, Joshua was obedient. He did what he had been commanded to do. And on the seventh day, Jericho's amusement turned to horror as "the walls came a-tumbling down."
It's not always easy to understand God's will. While the life of faith may sometimes seem as ridiculous as blowing a ram's horn at the foot of an enormous problem, rest assured that God's will can only be accomplished in our life by complete obedience to his Word. We should carry a whistle with us, and whenever we are tempted to let God's unorthodox ways keep us from doing His will we will give our whistle a good hard blow! That's one way we can train ourselves to be obedience to God and his unorthodox ways!
God never explains the why behind his unusual strategy against the walled city. Nevertheless, Joshua was obedient. He did what he had been commanded to do. And on the seventh day, Jericho's amusement turned to horror as "the walls came a-tumbling down."
It's not always easy to understand God's will. While the life of faith may sometimes seem as ridiculous as blowing a ram's horn at the foot of an enormous problem, rest assured that God's will can only be accomplished in our life by complete obedience to his Word. We should carry a whistle with us, and whenever we are tempted to let God's unorthodox ways keep us from doing His will we will give our whistle a good hard blow! That's one way we can train ourselves to be obedience to God and his unorthodox ways!
Prayer
Lord, help us—we don't have to understand your plans because understanding can wait but obedience can't. We will blow our whistle until it becomes very clear we are not to ignore your unorthodox ways. Thank you Jesus for your unorthodox love for us!
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| We Worship an Unorthodox God! |
© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2019
