What role does trust in God play in overcoming obstacles, as seen in Joshua 6:1? Setting the Scene: A Locked City and a Listening Leader Joshua 6:1 paints an impossible picture: “Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.” • The walls were high, thick, and humanly unbreachable. • Israel had no siege engines, no battering rams, only God’s promise. • Trust becomes the hinge between visible impossibility and invisible certainty. Trust Begins by Taking God at His Word • God speaks before Israel marches (Joshua 6:2). The promise comes first, action follows. • Hebrews 11:30: “By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.” • Trust is not blind optimism; it is confidence in God’s sworn word. Trust Looks Beyond Locked Gates • Jericho’s gates were “tightly shut up,” yet God’s plan accounted for them. • 2 Corinthians 5:7: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” • Obstacles may be massive, but they do not negate God’s strategy. Trust Submits to Unconventional Instructions • Marching silently, blowing trumpets, and shouting on the seventh day made little military sense. • Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” • Obedience demonstrates trust when the method seems irrational. Trust Transfers the Battle to the Lord • Israel’s role: march, shout, and watch. • God’s role: collapse fortified walls. • 2 Chronicles 20:15: “The battle is not yours, but God’s.” • Trust relinquishes the need to orchestrate outcomes. Trust Grows Through Remembering God’s Track Record • The Red Sea (Exodus 14), the Jordan River (Joshua 3)—God had already proven Himself. • Psalm 77:11: “I will remember the works of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old.” • Recalling past deliverances fuels present faith. Trust Invites Corporate Unity • Israel marched as one—no solo attempts, no divided opinions. • Acts 4:24 shows the early church following the same pattern: united prayer and trust amid threats. • Shared trust builds a community that sees walls fall together. Trust Receives the Reward • The walls fell flat (Joshua 6:20), just as God said. • Psalm 37:5: “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.” • Victory flows from faith-filled obedience, not human ingenuity. Practical Ways to Foster Trust in Daily Obstacles • Meditate on God’s promises; write them where you can see them. • Recall and recount past instances of His faithfulness. • Obey promptly, even when the command feels illogical. • Surround yourself with believers who reinforce faith, not fear. • Speak God’s truth aloud when confronted with intimidating “walls.” Conclusion: Trust as the Key to Toppling Walls Jericho teaches that obstacles, however imposing, are subject to the Lord’s authority. Trust anchors the heart, guides obedience, and lets God demonstrate His power. When His people take Him at His word, even the tightest gates cannot stand. |
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