Have you ever struggled with something – a new computer program, a project at work, or a relationship? You were sure you knew exactly what to do to make it work but your efforts ended in failure.
Not long before King David died, he told Solomon:
“My son, I will soon die, as everyone must. But I want you to be strong and brave. 3 Do what the Lord your God commands and follow his teachings. Obey everything written in the Law of Moses. Then you will be a success, no matter what you do or where you go.” I Kings 2:1-3 CEV
Our thinking or reasoning isn’t always the best. Take Joshua as an example. He was tasked with conquering the city of Jericho. It was a walled, well fortified city, many people lived there and the city was guarded. I’m sure Joshua was developing a plan of attack when the Lord spoke to him.
“Meanwhile, the people of Jericho had been locking the gates in their town wall because they were afraid of the Israelites. No one could go out or come in. 2-3 The Lord said to Joshua: With my help, you and your army will defeat the king of Jericho and his army, and you will capture the town. Here is how to do it: March slowly around Jericho once a day for six days. 4 Take along the sacred chest and have seven priests walk in front of it, carrying trumpets. But on the seventh day, march slowly around the town seven times while the priests blow their trumpets. 5 Then the priests will blast on their trumpets, and everyone else will shout. The wall will fall down, and your soldiers can go straight in from every side.” Joshua 6:1-5 CEV
Seriously, was he supposed to take a city by marching around and blowing trumpets? It wasn’t the tactic that caused Joshua to be successful. He captured it by being obedient to what the Lord has said!
“The priests blew their trumpets again, and the soldiers shouted as loud as they could. The walls of Jericho fell flat. Then the soldiers rushed up the hill, went straight into the town, and captured it.” Joshua 6:20 CEV
What is our “Jericho”? Is it the challenges we face at work, a rocky relationship with someone who had been a close friend or loved family member, a looming financial crisis or perhaps a health issue?
If we’ve been trying to figure out the correct strategy on our own it’s time to listen to the One who has the perfect solution. When we do, we’ll be victorious!
“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” Romans 8:37 NLT