Jericho

Happy Sunday!

Dr. Dennis Burke was the guest speaker today at Living Word Christian Center.  He encouraged us with Joshua 1:2-6, “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them." (NKJV)

God had already given the land to the Children of Israel, BUT they had to go in and possess the land! Did you get that?  It was already given to them, but they had a responsibility to go in and take ownership of what was given!  In the same way, we can't be casual Christians!  Just going to church on Sunday morning is not enough. We must live the life everyday. This life will not always be easy!  The old folks in the church used to say, "Life would not always be a flower bed of ease."  Life is hard, but God is good! What we must do is remember God promised never to leave us or forsake us.

We are promised good success and it involves a higher level of participation.  We must do our part. What's my part?  Great question.  We must obey God.  We must meditate on the Word so that when hard times and situations come, we act and react in the right way!  

Later in the book of Joshua, the story of Jericho sets the standard for how to win in this life.  Joshua 5:13-15 says, "And then this, while Joshua was there near Jericho: He looked up and saw right in front of him a man standing, holding his drawn sword. Joshua stepped up to him and said, “Whose side are you on—ours or our enemies’?” He said, “Neither. I’m commander of God’s army. I’ve just arrived.” Joshua fell, face to the ground, and worshiped. He asked, “What orders does my Master have for his servant?” God’s army commander ordered Joshua, “Take your sandals off your feet. The place you are standing is holy.” Joshua did it." (Message)  Honor God and respect his authority!  Be sensitive to the voice of God spoken through the Word!  When we honor the Word, we honor God!  If the Word says "GO" and you chose to stay you don't honor God!  If the Word says, "Give" and you refuse, you don't really honor God.

Joshua 6:1-5 says, "The gates of Jericho were kept tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelis; no one was allowed to go in or out. But the Lord said to Joshua, “Jericho and its king and all its mighty warriors are already defeated, for I have given them to you! Your entire army is to walk around the city once a day for six days, followed by seven priests walking ahead of the Ark, each carrying a trumpet made from a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to walk around the city seven times, with the priests blowing their trumpets. Then, when they give one long, loud blast, all the people are to give a mighty shout, and the walls of the city will fall down; then move in upon the city from every direction.” (Living Bible)  Follow God's instructions! Proverbs 3:5-7 says, "Trust God from the bottom of your heart;  don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all." (Message)

I encourage you this week...remember we have already been given everything that pertains to life and godliness, honor God in all you do, and obey his instructions to the letter!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

P.S. - The Children of Israel walked around the city of Jericho for several days and saw no change. Don't be discouraged, distracted, divided, or deluded if the victory doesn't come quickly.  Just don't quit!  Trust God! Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." (NLT)