What Walls Are Surrounding You

Joshua 6:14-15 “So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days. On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times.”

The story of Joshua leading the people into Jericho and sparing the life of Rahab and her family is very interesting. Talk about “faith” on all sides! However, what jumped out at me today, was what possibly happened as the Israelite's marched around the city walls in silence. No weapons. No aggression. No words either spoken or singing. Only the sound of the rams horn and their thumping feet that were marching around the city.

Then this picture popped in my head: the people of Jericho who were SO afraid of the Israelite's were all ‘locked up’ inside the city walls. However, if like any other fortress, the tops of the walls were big and thick enough to have men marching on them. I can picture the first day, and the men inside possibly in a panic and the people who lived there running and hiding inside their homes. However, as the ‘brave soldiers’ inside and on top of the walls watched the Israelite's march around without weapons and such – they probably started to joke, yell, be rude towards the men of God. Yet, the Israelite's stayed the course and did as God said through Joshua.

Now, they did this for SIX more days: got up, marched around the city with the ark of the covenant in front, rams horns blowing, not one sound or peep from anyone, no weapons – nothing…. Just marching. I can totally imagine the people of Jericho by day 3, thinking the Israelite's are a bit ‘mad’ and laughed at them and yelled rude remarks even more. By day 5, even the people of Jericho would be yelling out their windows, standing on the walls and roof tops laughing, mocking, and cursing them as well. By day 6 – I think the people inside the walls, would have gotten a bit lazy and let their guard down. Then on day 7, I think they may not have even noticed that the Israelite's had marched more than one time around the walls. Not until about the 5^th or 6^th time perhaps. Kind of like our home near the train tracks. We get used to the sound of the trains, and don’t even notice them anymore. I think the same thing happened, until the last round or two. Then ‘some people’ may have noticed, may have even made more comments. Perhaps, they even stopped their normal routine, and watched them a bit more closely. However, I don’t think they were as prepared to fight as they should have been. I think there were even more people on top of the walls, not just the guards and army. I think they were laughing and mocking so much more on that 7^th day.

But then, do you see it? At the last sound of the trumpet, when the Israelite's all shouted and the walls came tumbling down, the people that were on top of the walls fell to their deaths. Got tumbled in the rocks and were no longer part of the people or army to fight. God worked it out that part of the battle was won before it ever even started by wiping out all of those in, near, or under the walls. Then, for those inside – to see their walls tumble all at the same time – wowzers!! I would have stood frozen, shocked, dismayed. Then WHAM!! The Israelite's came rushing in like water over a dam, flooding the city with Gods vengeance.

What I got from today, was courage. Courage to stand strong and firm on Gods truth. What He has said He will do. How He is working in our life. Even if we are on the outside looking at "tall, thick walls" that seem to be in our way of dreams. Even if I feel inadequate, or people are making fun of me, I can stand on Gods promises. Even when those promises don’t make any sense at all! LOL  You too can have this assurance! We are to just ‘focus on’ what is before us “today” – and then leave yesterday behind us. Let God worry about tomorrow. We just need to focus on our actions, thoughts, attitudes, words… TODAY. That’s it. I’m praying you read Joshua 5 & 6 and see the amazing things God did for Rahab and the people of Israel. Picture yourself there, and “see” God’s word come to life! Have a GREAT day! Be well, be safe, and mostly – be blessed!