One of my favorite things in the world is to study and teach the Bible. I grin every time I say that because it took a VERY long time for me to even admit that God might possibly be calling me to teach. But that's another very long story for another time. This morning I found myself wishing I could share what God laid on my heart with you in a physical setting so I could see your faces and hear your thoughts. But for now, Facebook will have to do, and I am grateful for it.
I read Joshua 6 this morning, and there are at least one thousand different points I could make, but I'll stick with one, and it was prompted by the very first verse:
"Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out, and no one came in."
Are you familiar with the story? The Israelites had been in the desert for forty years, Moses had recently died, and now Joshua would lead them into the Promised Land. First stop – Jericho. There was just one problem. It was surrounded by a ginormous wall, and the gates were shut. Did you notice that the gates were shut precisely because of the Israelites?
That's what got my attention.
God brought them to this exact location, and they found themselves staring at an impossible wall with the gates locked tightly shut – because of who they were.
Their reputation had proceeded them.
Jericho knew the Israelites were rescued from slavery in Egypt by God's mighty hand and how He'd empowered them to defeat other kings and armies. It's no wonder they barred the city gates.
Before I go on, let me make a disclaimer. It's not wise to take every story in the Bible and somehow read ourselves into it. This isn't a story about me or you, it's a story about God and His people. However, there are overall truths that we can learn about God's character and apply what we learn to our own lives. With that in mind, here's how we might relate to the Israelites and Jericho.
Following God may lead us head-first into massive walls.
Has that happened to you? If you have been a Christ-follower for any amount of time, I bet you can relate.
Remember, the gates of Jericho were barred precisely because of the Israelites. Have you ever been denied an opportunity simply because of who you are? Man, that one stings, doesn't it? Maybe you ran into a wall because of what you stand for, what you believe, or who you associate with. Perhaps it's because your ideas are different, your drive too high, or your ideas too extreme. Maybe your passion freaks other people out, and they don't know how to handle you, so they lock the gate to make sure you and your crazy can't get in and disrupt their routine.
I know what it's like to be burdened and compelled to meet a need, only to run head-first into a wall that prevents me from doing so. I can't think of anything more frustrating than to be told no when I believe God has told me yes.
Do you think the Israelites felt that way when they saw the wall of Jericho? God had promised them the land…but…there was this wall…and barred gates…so, now what?!
We have a choice to make. We can either whine about the wall, cry about the wall, be frustrated with the wall, OR -
We can march around the dang wall until it falls.
Now hold on for a minute. You are expecting me to launch into a "get your march on" message, but there's more I want to say. I know it's not easy to adopt a "march around that wall" mindset – especially if it's a wall you have run into multiple times. It seems about the time one wall falls, you run into another one just like it. Man. Talk about exhausting. We know in this story, God intended for the wall to collapse. However, I'd like to suggest another option to consider before we run head-first into each and every wall that presents itself.
Sometimes God may use a wall to change our direction.
Recently, I became painfully aware that I am staring at a very familiar wall. I've marched around it many times, and I've watched it crumble every time by God's favor and power. However, if I'm being honest, at this moment, I am unsure whether or not to grab my marching boots; therefore, I am earnestly seeking God's will in this matter. Does He want me to march until it falls again, OR does He want me to change my direction altogether?
You may be wondering, "What are you trying to tell me, Paulette? Should I march around the wall, or should I move on??" I'm not trying to tell you to do either. Here's what I hope you will consider -
You and I have been invited to have a deep and intimate relationship with God. If we listen, we will, in time, be able to discern whether we need to put our marching boots on or pick up a map and move in a different direction. In Jericho's story, God indeed led them there to march around the wall until it fell. But I would also remind you that God led Elijah to the brook for a season, but that season came to an end, and he needed to move on (see 1 Kings 17). We may not get an immediate answer from the Lord, but this I do know – if we seek, we will find.
At this moment, I don't know if God will tell me to grab my marching boots or to grab a new map. But this I do know – He will lead me. All I need to do is make the decision to follow.
If you are facing a wall, I pray you will seek the Lord. If He calls you to march around that puppy, then, by all means, march your heart out until the dang thing falls. If He calls you to grab a map and head in a new direction, start walking with confidence. God knows what He is doing. Trust Him. Maybe He wants you to have the land on the other side of a fallen wall, or maybe He wants you to take new ground elsewhere. Either place, you can be sure there will be much fruit to bear, and much joy to be had.