Always: A 5-Day Devotional With Chris TomlinSample

Jericho

“Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”Joshua 6:4-5 (NIV)

Joshua succeeded Moses as the leader of the Israelites. While Moses was still alive, Joshua studied under him, learning how to be a good leader. As the mantle of leadership was passed to Joshua, there was one thing standing between him and the Promised Land — the city of Jericho.

The city was fortified by a stronghold — a wall that was seemingly indestructible. So, Joshua sends two spies ahead of the group to feel out the situation. Rahab — the famous Jewish woman who ends up in the genealogy of Jesus — protects them in exchange for the assurance that she and her family will be spared when the Israelites seize the city.

In Joshua 6, the spies return to the camp, and Joshua gets a clear word from the Lord: The territory is already theirs; all they have to do is take it. Next, God gives Joshua specific instructions: March around the city one time for six days with trumpet-blowing priests leading the way. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times and raise a shout. Then, the walls will come down and the city will be yours.

Scripture tells us Joshua and his men followed God’s instructions to the letter. Jericho was conquered. Rahab and her family were saved, and the Israelites were one step closer to their Promised Land.

We can learn a lot from Joshua and the story of Jericho related to how God chooses to tear down strongholds in our lives.

First, praise always proceeds the promise. Worship music led Joshua’sparade.

Second, chain-breaking will always require obedience. Joshua and his men didn’t question God’s leading. They simply followed His instructions.

Third, walls can crumble in unexpected ways. Surely there was an easier, quicker, more aggressive way the Israelites could have captured Jericho. But God’s seven-day battle plan was ultimately best.

Our worship and our step-by-step obedience can break down walls in unexpected ways, in Jesus’ name.