The Lord's Instruction

January 11, 2021

And the Lord said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days. And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him.”

~Joshua 6:2‭-‬5~

I know you may be sitting there thinking, what next? What will be of our land and our families? I know there are a lot of mixed emotions taking its course right now. We look around at the country we once knew and see utter chaos and know in our spirits it is only the beginning. There is good that comes out of this for we know as we follow God, it will eventually work out for us exactly as planned; "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Joshua had a destiny that he was called to that was not simple to receive. Joshua and his people traveled all the way to get to their promised land and eventually they hit a wall. It seems as though we have hit a wall, doesn't it friends? However, Joshua didnt lose hope yet. The first thing he did was rely on God's instruction. He knew that if he tried to figure things out on his own they would of just probably ended up turning around and their trip to the promised land would of turned into a distant memory. All those years traveling and waiting to receive their land and they hit a wall. I'm sure they felt some of the same emotions we feel today; confusion, panic, sadness and defeat. The Lord just had another test for them. When the Lord gave Joshua instruction on what to do to enter into their land it was very detailed on what they needed to do and how long they needed to do it for. No matter how silly it may have seemed, Joshua had the faith that whatever the Lord was telling them to do it would work exactly as He spoke.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:7)

Joshua feared the Lord and understood that His ways are always best. He knew that if he did not listen he would be in a worse place.

He knew that if the Lord took him this far, He was faithful enough to take him all the way through just as He promised. If we refuse to listen to God in times of confusion and distress, how are we ever going to expect to receive our land flowing with milk and honey? Thing were pretty hard for many years for the Israelites until they were able to finally make it to this land. It would of been silly for them to give up now. Job gives us perfect advice on what we are to do in times of distress as he lost everything he had, yet still trusted that God would bring him through; "Receive, please, instruction from His mouth, And lay up His words in your heart." (Job 22:22)

The more we fill our hearts with the word of God, that is only truth, we will find peace and security in the midst of our own emotions. We cannot figure out any of the answers on our own. We need Jesus guiding us each day; "The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way." (Psalms 25:9)

When we humble ourselves just as Joshua did and listen to what God needs of us in each moment; we will safely bring our families through dark times in the hands of God. He is our provider; Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them." (Genesis 50:21)

He is our protector; "But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one." (II Thessalonians 3:3)

He is our guide; "You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory."

(Psalms 73:24)

After we listen to Jesus' instruction we are blessed. The Lord does not guide us into disaster, He guides us through it; " Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." (Psalms 23:4)

As we follow our Good Shepherd through the valley of death, we will come out on the other side. We will tear down our walls that look like the end and walk into our promised land, just as Joshua did. We must fully rely on Jesus, He is truely all we have to make it through whatever we may be facing. When He walked this earth, everything He did He prayed to the Father about first. If the King of Kings took time each day all day to pray to the Father for help, why shouldn't we? It's our ultimate gift as christians to come boldly to the throne of grace; "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

He will always be waiting right there to help us. So no matter what things may become around you, no matter how hard things may seem; keep your eyes on Jesus and listen to His instruction. Take your concerns to the throne and wait in silence, you may just feel a tug at your heart on what you have to do next. Sometimes all we can do is wait. Joshua's first part of his instruction was to just march around for six days. If he lost his patience in God and did not wait and march, he would of never entered into the land flowing with milk and honey. My friends, don't ever think that God has given up on you. The devil likes to make everything seem so hopeless around us so that we stop going to God for help in prayer. Satan knows praying is battling and going to Jesus for help is putting trust in Him. Focus on Christ, take your eyes off the enemy, he doesnt deserve an ounce of our attention.

Prayer:

Gracious God, thank you for the guidance You are willing to provide to me each day. Thank you for letting me put my trust in You, knowing I will come out of the valley and reach the mountain. Help me to remember to abide in You each day no matter how hard things may get around me. I want to fully rely on You. Fill me with divine strength and peace so that I may move in spirit, not in emotion. I rebuke every stronghold the enemy has planned against me today and command every evil spirit to stand down in Jesus Name. I pray for the angelic forces in the heavenly battles as I stand with them fighting. Show me what I can do Lord to shine Your light in the midst of the darkness. Let me help more people see the goodness that is on the other side of this wall. All the praise and honor to You, my King, for Your grace and mercy. May the Blood of the New Covenant continue to cover us all in safety. In Your Name I pray, Jesus Christ. Amen.