Courageous Choices Part 3Sample

FAITHFUL OBEDIENCE

Joshua led the people of Israel across the Jordan river into the Promised land. God stopped the flow of the river so Israel could cross over because the river was at flood stages. The kings in that area knew that God had dried up the river so they could cross over, and this knowledge put fear in those kings’ hearts. And now Joshua and the people have come close to one of those kings’ cities, Jericho. And Joshua looks up and sees a man. But not just any man, this is the commander of the army of the Lord! Joshua is having a Holy moment like Moses in Exodus 3:5. God is speaking to Joshua and giving him instructions for his next courageous choice.

Now Jericho is a fortified city and it is locked up tight. Nobody in or out of the city. So, God gives Joshua a unique strategy to conquer Jericho. He isn’t to attack Jericho with his men of war. He is to march around Jericho once for 6 days and seven times on the 7th day. The priests with the Ark of the Covenant are in front and all of the people are following behind them. And they are marching around the city. What a strange sight that must have been for the people of Jericho! This strategy is designed to show Joshua and the people of Israel that God is giving Jericho to them, they won’t even have to fight for it. This was a ceremonial act, not a military one. Joshua and the Israelites had to once again trust and obey God.

Ask Yourself:

-Where in your life do you need to follow God’s instruction even if it doesn’t seem to make sense to you right now?

- Can you look back like the Israelites and see where God has gotten you through tough times?

Pause to Pray: God, open my eyes to see where You have been working in my life. Holy Spirit, strengthen me to listen to the Word of God in the Bible and to be obedient.

Take a Next Step:

-Identify the next step of obedience as you face your crossroads.