1) Preparation - Before they tried to do anything with Jericho there was a time of spiritual preparation. They crossed the Jordan with the ark, set up a memorial and were circumcised. Before we tackle the walls in our lives, we must prepare ourselves spiritually.
2) Assurance - God presented the fall of Jericho as already accomplished before Joshua or the Israelites had done one thing. This is faith, that God has already accomplished what is needed, not that it might happen in the future.
3) Strange Plans - God had a bizarre plan for the fall of Jericho: marching, blowing trumpets and shouting. God's plans rarely make sense but they always work. God's plan of salvation in the crucifixion of Jesus was the strangest plan of all.
4) Success - The plan actually worked! We know that prayer is important but we are sometimes surprised when God responds. Take notice of when God answers prayers.
5) Non-traditional - It is common for people to attempt to duplicate success by doing things the same way. Joshua did not try this plan again with the fall of Ai later in the book. He went to God for fresh guidance. Celebrate what God has done in the past but do not turn it into a tradition to manipulate God.
This message will be on www.meafordbaptist.ca for the next few weeks and can also be found at www.stephenjbedard.com.
1 comments:
Have just discovered your blog and was blessed and encouraged by this post. Thank you for you insight and reminder, The Lord is not asking me to understand, but to trust in His sovereignty.
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