photo #3616397

Joshua 6: 20 - So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.The test of faith is seen in that Israel marched around the city for 6 days, one time each day, and on the 7th day, they did it 7 times and then shouted. Jericho fell after they followed God’s plan to take the invincible city. When they went around the 7th time, they shouted and sounded the trumpets, then the city fell, and they conquered the city.The taking of Jericho is a lesson in patience. You would think after 40 years of wilderness wandering, the people would have wanted to take the city immediately. They would have removed the grappling hooks and ladders and scaled the walls. It would be a big challenge, and I’m sure, at least under Joshua, they would have attempted it. Instead, this plan was not to be.They marched around the city and waited for God to act. After one week of marching, God came through and toppled the city walls on the last day. He could have done it the first day but waited till the 7th. He tested their patience in being willing to listen to Him. When they shouted and blew the trumpets, victory was certain and complete. The city that could not be conquered by human means fell before Israel, who followed God’s plan instead of their own.Often, we want God to work on our behalf now in our time in our way. Yet His ways are not like our ways many times. He enjoins us to wait, be faithful to His cause and be obedient to His word. He tests us to see if we will obey Him or if we are playing word games. Then God comes through in His time, in His ways. The results are reasonable and modest. They are sudden and complete. Trust the Lord today by walking with Him through all of life’s tests, and He will bring whatever walls seem to be invincible crashing down. He has not changed His plan. Are we willing to trust Him for the victory that will come?--- Dan Nelson