It only serves to remind me all the more that certain matters only God can deliver since often we try to take things into our own hands. In the case of taking Jericho, the Lord showed Himself strong before Israel. All it was needed on Israel's part was to obey in faith what was told of them to do and the Lord was with them.
The marching around the wall for 6 days.
The marching around the wall for 7 times on the 7th day.
The united shouting at the sound of the ram's horn.
I'm pretty sure the walls would never have collapsed without the intervention of a supernatural power.
Surely Israel had to trust in God again after what they have been through with Him all that years right? Even if those who were brought out of Egypt had died, this new generation had seen how God stopped the Jordan river, how He brought down the walls of Jericho!
*Having personally encountered God in our lives/generation, has there been any transformation in us? Has our faith in Him to do greater things increased?
Got me thinking about Rahab as well. How would she feel when her country is being captured by another? When her fellow countrymen are dying outside, when the fall of her country was solely because of her one lie.
Joshua and the spies remembered Rahab for what she had done for Israel. Likewise, things we do have lasting impact and consequence. In the case of Rahab and the spies, if Rahab chose not to believe in the spies' word of trust to spare her and her family, Joshua may never know the situation within Jericho. Yet the effects of Rahab's one lie and trusting the spies, an entire nation/city falls and burns to the ground.
*Our actions has consequences, perhaps even lasting effect on ourselves and people around us. How are you making decisions in life? Is God in the centre of your decisions?
Joshua 7 (Achan's Sin):
Seems to me the Lord has a perfect track record in winning battles and wars. Why do I say so? When the Israelites were struck down (36 out of 1000), their hearts melted and became like water. Which battle in our history has no casualties? Reading this just sets me thinking beyond the numbers. When the Israelites do not win, they knew immediately that the Lord was not with them. Surely they had sinned against Him in the process.
I was caught by verse 10, The Lord said to Joshua, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face?..."
Joshua could not figure what they had done wrong to lose an 'easy battle' but the Lord clearly knows it all. He instructed Joshua to sieve out the culprit who had sinned against what the Lord had commanded. From tribe by tribe down to man by man, the culprit was pinpointed and there was no second chance. Achan and his children and all that he had was stoned and burned in the valley of Achor, as the Lord had instructed.
...for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought, how important it is for us to remember that nothing is hidden from God. But if we have displeased the Lord in a certain decision or action, then the rightful thing to do is turn back to Him. The Israelites did not have Jesus as their Saviour back then, but they knew very well the need to live transparently before the Lord and in every part of their lives, devote to Him.
*Is there a (dark) area of our lives that we need to surrender to Him? Perhaps it has been hindering us from coming back into His arms?
Joshua 8 (Ai Destroyed):
*Power in raised hands*
The symbolic act of raising hands is traced back to the times of Joshua, even Moses. The more familiar story that we all know is that Moses parted the Red Sea through the raising of his staff (of course we know God was the One who did the parting!), Moses also kept his hands raised during the battles and when his arms were tired and his hands were down, they began to lose the war. So significant is the raising of hands as an outward expression of Faith. Raising of hands is a common sign in this world of Surrender. But as people of God, we surrender not to our enemies but to the Lord our God. We surrender ourselves to Him and allow Him to intervene.
Verse 18: Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Hold out toward Ai the javelin that is in your hand, for into your hand I will deliver the city." So Joshua held out his javelin toward Ai.
When we come together and worship God, often we see some people raising their hands in worship. No doubt it is a symbolic act of surrendering ourselves as a living sacrifice, it is a personal conviction to do so. For myself, it has been helpful because physically raising my hands brings about surrendering inside me. It cannot be described in words but when the Holy Spirit comes and takes over, you know you have entered into His presence with a surrendered heart.
*God desires a surrendered heart in those seek Him with all their heart. Have you surrendered to Him?
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Today marks a 40 day journey for myself even as I prepare myself for the coming Australia trip. I know what I am seeking the Lord about but more importantly, I want to seek Him about what He has for me, what He wish to say to me. Lord the future is uncertain but You are certain.
Your Love is sure. Your Faithfulness is sure. Your Grace is sure.
Let all of my hope be in You and You alone.
Your Love never fails, it never gives up. It never runs out on me.
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