Joshua’s story can be found in Joshua chapter 6

Joshua’s story can be found in Joshua chapter 6

Joshua the son of Nun was born a slave in Egypt about 40 years before the Exodus led by Moses. Originally he was named Hoshea, (salvation). Moses changed his name to Joshua (The Lord is Salvation) during their journey home to the Promised Land. This name served as a reminder that God, not Joshua was the one who would do the saving. Joshua was a faithful, obedient, close aide to Moses, and when Moses died, the position of leader was transferred to Joshua.

The Israelites led by Joshua were in a battle with Jericho, a walled city that presented a major hindrance… it was right in the middle of their course into the Promised Land. God spoke to Joshua and told him that even before the battle begins, the victory is already theirs. Although this was a guarantee from God, it was not automatic. They would have to do something to secure this victory. Israel had to absolutely follow all the instructions that God had given them. God spoke to Joshua and told him to tell the people to March around and circle the city once a day, for six days, having seven priests carry seven ram's horn trumpets in front of the Ark. On day seven, march around the city seven times, while the priests the blow trumpets. When you hear the priest make a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people to shout at the top of their lungs, and the walls will collapse at once. The people then can immediately enter in and attack. Joshua then told the people not to shout, speak, or even whisper without his shouting orders. The people fully obeyed God’s instructions, and defeated Jericho.

The “promise land” held everything they were hoping for. We too can experience a “promise land” that holds everything we are hoping for. We can enjoy the spiritual blessings that are available to us in Christ. Ours lives are meant to flow with love, joy, peace, health, wealth, and an intimate relationship with God. This does not happen by itself, it happens when we follow the instructions with absoluteobedience! Walls of doubt, discouragement, despair and sin in our way must come down! What are some of the instructions we can follow? First, we can letChrist be the center of our faith march around the walls in our lives. The battle is not ours anyway, it belongs to the Lord. Secondly, don’t always feel as if you need to say something when in a spiritual, physical or mental battle. Be quiet until the time is right. Too often we want to speak our mind or out of the midst of our pain, words which may just cost us our victory. Words seasoned with grace are always in good taste. Finally, Shout! Praise is always in style. Although prayer is the best option, praise is also a powerful weapon. Remember your battle is finished before it got started, and the victory is already yours!