Part 10, Jericho

You’ll be finding in your copy of God’s word the book of Joshua chapter 6. Joshua chapter 6. Joshua chapter 6 is where we will be this morning. The walls of Jericho.

And when you get there to Joshua chapter 6 and verse 1, if you were able, if you will stand with me as we honor God and the reading of his word. Joshua chapter 6. Joshua chapter 6 beginning in verse one.

And now hear the word of the Lord.

Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in.

And the LORD said to Joshua: "See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, [and] the mighty men of valor.

"You shall march around the city, all [you] men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days.

"And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.

"It shall come to pass, when they make a long [blast] with the ram's horn, [and] when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him."

May God and his blessing to the reading, the preaching, and now your hearing to understand his holy word. May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ forever be praised. and all of God’s people say, “Amen.”

Amen. You may be seated.

Great Stories, Eternal Truths, part 10, the walls of Jericho.

Let’s think about this morning, the moment before the miracle.

Before we reach this time, Joshua chapter 6, the children of Israel have been waiting for this moment for over 40 years. The generation that left Egypt has passed away in the wilderness. Moses, their great leader, has died. He’s gone on to the Lord. And and now Joshua, Joshua, the servant who once stood in Moses’s shadow, now takes his place. takes his place holding the promise of a land that they’ve waited for for so very long.

They’ve crossed the Jordan River on dry ground. Another miracle to remind them that God, who split the Red Sea, is still with them. They have renewed their covenant at Gilgal. They’ve celebrated the first Passover in the land of promise. They’ve eaten the first fruits of Canaan’s harvest. And now standing just a few miles beyond the Jordan, they face their first test, the fortified city of Jericho.

Joshua at the battle of Jericho. Jericho. Jericho. And what? And the walls came tumbling down.

Jericho was not the largest city in Canaan, but Jericho was the most intimidating in Canaan. It it was had massive walls and archaeology tells us massive walls that were two layers thick, standing as a wall of strength, a symbol of strength, a statement of defiance to anybody who would challenge these great and mighty walls. Jericho was depending on their walls.

And yet that’s exactly where God told his people to start the conquest. Not the easiest place, but the hardest. Because folks, God often times starts our journey to victory with the thing that looks the most impossible.

Before Israel could take the land, Israel had to trust the God of the land. Amen.

So this moment, Joshua chapter 6, isn’t this just the story of ancient warfare. It’s the story of a faithful God calling his people to believe him even when they don’t understand like the children. To believe him when every wall says you can’t is the story of obedience that doesn’t make sense until the wall came down. Amen.

So, let’s retell the story this morning as we have done in all of these sermons.

The story opens with a city that looked impossible.

Jericho stood as a fortress, walls high, gates locked, soldiers ready. From a human point of view, it was hopeless. But from God’s point of view, it was already finished.

Joshua 6:2, the Lord says, the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho to you.” The wall was still standing. But from God’s idea, from God’s perspective, it was already done. Before the people marched, before the trumpet sounded, God had already declared the victory.

That’s how faith works. Listen to me, folks. That’s how faith works. Not seeing to believe, but believing in order to see. That’s how faith works.

Now, imagine how strange God’s battle plan must have sounded. There were no siege engines, no ladders, no weapons drawn, just silence, just steps and then the shout and the sound of seven trumpets.

And for six days, the people marched once around the city, priests blowing their horns. soldiers walking in formation, the ark of the covenant leading the way. No shouting, no stones thrown, no strategy except obedience. And friends, no other strategy is is as successful for victory as obedience. The best strategy is obedience.

So day after day, the the same path, sunrise, sunset, round and round they march around the walls.

You can almost hear the scoffing from Jericho’s towers and those looking over the walls. What are they doing? Don’t they know this is not how battles are won? How strange. How odd. How weird.

But Joshua and the people knew something that the city didn’t know. That victory doesn’t come from might. Victory doesn’t come from strategy of logic. But victory comes from faith in a living and powerful God.

Then came the seventh day. They rose early before the dawn. And this time they marched not once but seven. Seven times around the city. The priests blew the trumpets. The people held their breath.

And when the final lap was finished, Joshua gave the command, “Shout, shout, for the Lord has given you the city.”

And when they shouted, heaven moved. When they shouted, the walls that had stood for generations crumbled in an instant. What no sword could cut, what no army could scale, God brought down with a sound the sound of his people’s worship.

Amid the chaos and the dust, there was one small house that stood firm. You’ve read the story. Rahab’s house. The scarlet cord in her window was a banner of God’s mercy, marking a sinner saved by grace. Everything around her fell, but the promise of God held fast. Amen.

And when that dust had settled settled, the city lay silent.

The first victory in the promised land was won. won not by strategy, not by great strength. It was won by obedient faith in a God and the leader Joshua that God had ordained.

And that’s where we find ourselves today, this morning even, because all of us face our own Jericho, impossible situations, unshakable habits, immovable fears.

But the same God who brought down those ancient walls still brings victory today. Amen.

Folks, Jericho wasn’t just a story about walls coming down. And it was about faith standing up. And that’s what God’s people need today. Faith that trusts God’s promises when the path doesn’t make sense. Faith that walks in obedience even when the world mocks us. Faith that believes God can do the impossible because he’s already done the impossible.

So we retell that great story.

And this morning, number two, we remember these great truths.

Number one, folks, what looks impossible to man is just an opportunity for God to display his glory. Amen. You’ve heard me say it so many times. You could say it with me. Only God can do the things that only God can do. Let’s say that again. Only God can do the things that only God can do.

The walls of Jericho were thick and tall, and from a human perspective, they were unshakable. But folks, no wall stands too strong for the power of God.

When your situation looks impossible, remember, you’re standing on the stage of a miracle. God only does miracles in impossible situations. Possible situations, we handle that. impossible situations where God does miracles.

God specializes in turning impossible situations into glorious testimonies. Amen.

If you don’t believe it, turn around and look back there at that man wearing a red shirt had pancreatic cancer that you just don’t beat. You just don’t beat what he had. But we prayed, didn’t we? Impossible. impossible except with a God who is powerful.

Number two, God’s power doesn’t need human strength. It only needs human surrender.

The Lord didn’t give Joshua a better battle plan or stronger soldiers or bigger weapons. He asked him for obedience. He asked him for faith. He asked for silence and steps. even though it didn’t make sense because God doesn’t need our muscle. He wants our trust.

So folks, when you stop striving and start surrendering, that’s when the walls begin to shake. Amen.

Number three, God calls his people to march before they see the miracle.

The Israelites had to walk in circles six days. Didn’t make any sense, did it? But they had to walk those six days in circles, not just around the city of Jericho. They had to walk around their own doubt.

Faith always walks forward even when it can’t see the finish line. They didn’t see the victory on day one. They didn’t see the victory on day two. They didn’t see the the victory on day three. It took them being obedient the first six days before seeing the victory on day seven. Amen.

The victory doesn’t come after the first march. It comes through the march. So keep walking, keep trusting, keep keep circling the promise of God. If God’s made the promise, keep on marching around it until it’s fulfilled. Amen. Because God always keeps his word.

Number four, the victory was preceded by worship.

Listen to me, folks. Before there was a shout, there was silence. Before there was triumph, there had to be trust. They had to obey God’s command for worship.

The ark of the covenant went first. The priests followed and the people then marched because because because that was the symbol of God’s presence and God’s presence always leads the way to victory. What we say is if God ain’t going in front of us, we ain’t going forward. We’re not going to go where God doesn’t lead us. Amen.

And if God isn’t leading you and God’s presence isn’t going before you, hold still until it does.

Worship, folks, is not what we do after the victory. Worship is how we get to the victory.

Worship isn’t. And praise the Lord, we we worship the the great football game happens. They win the game and they come dump the Gatorade on his head, on the coach’s head, and you celebrate after the victory, right?

But for we believers, the bloodbought born again spiritfilled saints of the living God. We worship unto the victory, folks. When God’s people move in worship, heaven moves in power.

Number five, listen carefully. God’s people will win together or wander together.

Benjamin Franklin said during the Revolutionary War conflict, he said, “Men, we got to hang together or we’ll all hang separately.”

None of the soldiers stayed behind in the camp. All of them took part in what God was doing. Jericho fell because God’s people moved as one, united in purpose. obedient in heart and trusting in the same single promise.

When God’s people get together under God’s power and with God’s leadership, they can do anything. Amen.

We saw that Friday night, folks. Victory still requires that kind of unity today. The church is strongest when we march together in faith, when we lift our voices together in worship, and when we walk shoulder tosh shoulder under the same banner. The only banner the church has, the banner of Jesus Christ. Amen.

So, we remember these great truths, but it’s got to be more than just in our mind. It’s got to be in our actions.

So, number three, we respond with faith.

respond with faith.

Number one, here how we respond with faith. We said that when life looks impossible, remember the impossibility is God’s opportunity.

When the doctors say there’s nothing else they can do. When the bills are due but the check is gone. A lot of government workers are experiencing that. When the child you raised won’t answer your your phone call. When the door you prayed for to open stays shut.

Remember Jericho was an impossible situation. An impossible situation.

Folks, God hasn’t lost his power. God has not changed. His promises have not expired. He is the same God yesterday, today, and forever.

Faith is not pretending the wall isn’t there. It’s right in front of you. You can’t miss it. But faith is seeing the wall and believing that your God can bring it down.

When you’ve done all you can do, stand back and watch what only God could do. Amen.

We have this New Testament truth in Luke’s gospel. What is impossible for man is possible with God. Amen.

Number two, we said that when you don’t have strength to stand, surrender. Surrender the fight to God.

Listen, folks. Listen to me. Some of us are worn out. Worn out from trying to fix what only God can fix. mend what only God can mend. Heal what only God can heal. Trying to control what only God can command.

You’ve strategized. You’ve stressed. You’ve stayed up all night, but the walls haven’t moved yet.

That’s when God says, “Stop striving. Start surrendering.”

Folks, it’s not weakness to give up your grip. It’s wise. It’s wisdom to give up your grip because your grip’s not doing a very good job. Amen.

Victory doesn’t come from your push. Victory comes from your prayers.

Lay it down at his feet. Be patient and wait on him and watch him fight for you.

We have the New Testament truth in Ephesians 6. Be strong in the Lord in the power of whose might? His might, not ours.

2 Chronicles 20 says, “The battle is not yours. The battle belongs to the Lord.” Amen.

Number three, when faith feels like you’re just walking in circles, we said, “Keep marching.”

It just may seem like you’re just going in circles. If that’s what God’s told you to do, keep marching. Amen.

The Israelites must have wondered if Joshua had lost his mind on day, let’s say, four, and they’re getting up. Here we go again. And some junior grade lieutenant says, “Has he lost his ever loving mind? We’re going to do this again.”

Day after day. Same route, same silence, same walls.

Do you ever feel that way? You pray, nothing changes. You serve, but you don’t see the fruit. You believe, but you don’t feel the breakthrough.

Folks, that’s what faith looks like on day six. on day four, on day two.

But folks, God’s timing isn’t delayed. God’s timing is deliberate. Sometimes he makes you march in circles so that by the time the walls fall, you’ll know it was him who did it and not you.

So keep walking and keep trusting. The seventh day is coming. Amen.

We have this great New Testament truth. Galatians 6:9. Let us not grow weary in doing good. For in due season, say due season. That just means in God’s time. In God’s time we shall reap that reward if we do not lose heart.

Number four, we said when worship feels like the last thing you want to do, worship is the first thing you need to do.

When you feel least like worshiping is when you most need to worship. Anybody can sing after the walls have already fallen down. It takes real faith to praise God when the walls are still standing. Amen.

When you worship in weakness, you are declaring, “Lord, you’re still worthy. The wall is still standing. The walls have not come down. I’m still marching. I’m still obeying. It hasn’t happened yet, Lord, but you are still worthy of my worship and praise.”

And that’s the kind of worship that moves heaven’s heart.

So, lift your hands even when they’re heavy. Lift your voice even when your soul is tired. Because worship doesn’t follow victory. Worship precedes victory. Amen.

We’re reminded about Paul and Silas. Acts chapter 16, they were in prison. And at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing. And when they prayed and sang in prison, that’s when the prison doors got opened. Amen.

Keep worshiping. Keep worshiping.

Number five, we talked about how when the church marches together, when the church marches together, the walls in our lives start to fall.

Jericho didn’t fall because Joshua was strong. It fell because God’s people were united in the power of God. And church, that’s still how victory comes.

When we pray together, when we serve together, when we give together, when we worship together, when we pray together, walls come down. Walls of bitterness, walls of apathy, walls between generations and pews and preferences begin to come down. when we seek to make the main thing the main thing, believing and obeying God.

We may not be the biggest church here at New Bethl, but folks, when we’re walking in step with God and with one another, we’re unstoppable. The history of this church is a history of seeing what God can do with a few people who are faithful to him.

Hey, the same God who brought down Jericho’s walls is still building his church today. Jesus said in Matthew 16, he said, “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Amen.

So let’s conclude this way.

When those walls fell in Jericho, it wasn’t just a a military victory. It was a miracle of God’s might. It wasn’t about bricks and stone. It was about the power of God to do what man cannot do.

And church, that’s the story of the gospel. And I just realized I didn’t share this on Facebook last night like I wanted to. I and y’all are looking for it because I’ve been doing that this whole series and I completely forgot to forgive me. Okay,

church. That’s the story of the gospel because sin builds walls. Walls between us and God. Walls between us and one another. Walls of shame. Walls of regret. Walls of addiction. Walls of bitterness. Walls of pride.

And try as we might, we can’t tear them down on our own.

But thank God, what we cannot tear down, Jesus already broke through at the cross. The greatest wall of all came down. The wall that separated sinful man. Look at me. Do this. Point to yourself. Sinful human beings. The wall that separated sinful human beings from holy God. That wall came down at the cross.

Ephesians chapter 2 says, “For he himself is our peace who has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.”

At Jericho, the people shout and the walls fell. At Calvary, the Son of God cried out, “It is finished.” And the veil was torn. At Jericho, a scarlet cord hung from Rahab’s window. At Calvary, a scarlet stream flowed from the Savior’s side.

If you’ll trust him, those walls will fall. If you’ll surrender to him, you’ll find the peace. If you’ll call on his name, the same name Joshua bore. Joshua is the name Yeshua. The same name that’s translated Jesus.

If you’ll call on his name, you’ll find what we sang earlier. You’ll find victory in Jesus.