They faced a wall. An insurmountable, unconceivable, invincible wall. In their eyes, it was unconquerable. But in God’s eyes, nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37). God can make the wall come tumbling down.
Walls Come in All Shapes and Sizes
Are you facing a wall today? A wall of discouragement, disappointment, or doubt? A hopeless situation where you cannot see you’re way out?
After wandering for 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites were ready to enter the promised land, the land of Canaan. This land flowed with milk and honey and was promised to Abraham over 500 years earlier (Deuteronomy 6:3). Pause for a second…do you see how cool this is? Is anyone else in utter awe? The promises of God are coming to fruition right here as we turn the pages of Scripture. We can stand assured that the promises of God will come true! Mic drop.
However, as the Israelites faced the promised land there was one very large obstacle in their way. A wall. Read Joshua 6:1-27. They could not see a solution to their current dilemma. From their vantage point, there was no hope. Might as well wallow in self-pity…or about-face and wander in the wilderness for another 40 years. In the eyes of man, this situation was completely impossible.
The Impossible Becomes Possible with God
And once again, God says “Nope. I got it! What you see as an impossibility is a possibility with God.” (I think someone needs to hear that right now. Go ahead and repeat it and speak it into your life).
God lays out a war strategy that seems ridiculously simple: Quietly march around the city for six days, and on the seventh day, make seven circuits around and then give a victory shout. There is a lesson for us here….our battles belong to the Lord (Isaiah 55:8-9, Exodus 14:14).
When we face an insurmountable situation, it is our faithful obedience to God that yields a Jericho victory in our lives. The walls in our lives produce sanctification, a transformative process to mold us into the image of Christ (read Romans 8:29). In our desperation, we are forced to look to God as our refuge and strength. It is during such times God is working in us to perfect our faith (Hebrews 10:23, 11:1), reminding us that only God can make the wall come tumbling down.
When God Speaks, Walls Crumble
God uses such moments in our lives to point our direction upward to Him. He reminds us that He is powerful to conquer our battles (Psalm 18:13-15). He uses the walls in our lives to reorient our focus…because He knows otherwise, we get consumed with earthly things. There is nothing comparable to the power of God. What God says comes to pass. When God speaks, the walls crumble (Hebrews 11:30).
The Israelites wandering faith was transformed into saving faith. When God spoke, they listened and obeyed. It is saving faith that propels us to obedience. Because of the grace of God and His abounding mercy, we desire to do what He says (1 Jn 2:3-5). Our faith without obedience is dead faith (James 2:26).
It is our obedience to God that reflects our salvation to the world. It is not enough to say “I believe in God” and then live however we please. True salvation is reflected in how we live. Obedient. Submissive. Humble lives. Then the walls will come tumbling down.
Is your life reflecting JESUS this Christmas season? Do others see your “Saving Faith”?