The Gates of Jericho

Has the Lord promised you something but access to it seems unsurmountable? Like Peter stepping out of the boat and starting to sink because doubt began to rush in so too have I missed out on God’s perfect plan because my eyes were in the wrong place. That’s what I love about this story of Joshua and the Israelites; though the walls revealed no cracks no one complained or doubted their purpose, only obedience was shown and victory revealed. 

There was no doubt about who was doing the work, have you ever shouted a wall of stone down to the ground? And there was no doubt about abilities, again because the Israelites knew who was orchestrating this victory. Why does doubt always surround selfishness? The enemy of God is cunning and even if you believe God can do all things if he can get you to question why God would do anything for you, knowing who you are and what you’ve done, then he has won the battle.

One of the key insights to the walls of Jericho coming down was when Joshua told the people everything in Jericho must be destroyed!

Joshua 6:18 NLT
(18) "Do not take any of the things set apart for destruction, or you yourselves will be completely destroyed, and you will bring trouble on the camp of Israel.

I believe faith is hindered when we try to hold onto things that do not honor God and when His Holy Spirit instructs us to come to Him with open hands and an open heart that is exactly what is required of us in order to follow His leading. Sadly, when our faith seems to be in vein we turn from God and never truly discover why we missed the mark. 

Jeremiah 17:9-10 NLT
(9) "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?
(10) But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve."

So Lord I ask that you search my heart and reveal any wicked ways so that I may come to You and be made clean. May Your Holy Spirit lead and guide me and may You give me strength to step out of the boat. Keep my eyes upon you as the walls before me sometimes seem unsurmountable and if I am blind let it be to the limits of this earthly kingdom, not Yours.