Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go out or in. But the LORD said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors. You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day, you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams’ horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town.” Joshua 6:1-5 (NLT)
Before arriving at the text above, we can use three characteristics to define the Israelites. One, they were known to be in absolute bondage and slavery. Two, once they were free from bondage and slavery, they became known for wandering. (They wandered in the desert without clear direction due to their inability to obey God's commandments.) And three, they were displaced from their homeland and not yet in the place God had designed for them.
You may not be able to relate to the type of physical bondage that the Israelites experienced, but perhaps you are indeed experiencing a level of bondage spiritually. Maybe it’s an addiction to drugs, an unhealthy relationship, or the result of bad financial decisions. There are many different types of spiritual enslavement that we can experience. Do you need deliverance in an area of your life?
Maybe you are wandering in a spiritual desert, as you experience a season in your life where you feel lost, purposeless, or spiritually dry. Are you currently a wanderer spiritually?
Or, maybe you relate more to feeling displaced from God’s promises. Are you unsure of what your next steps should be?
Our anchor text gives us a view of the Israelites that allows us to see them in a brand new light. They are free from bondage. They have a clear direction. And their feet are positioned on the soil of God’s promised land! They have experienced breakthroughs and progress! To commemorate the event, they have constructed a memorial of stones to signify and serve as a memory, reminding them of their victory.
Whether you're in bondage, wandering, displaced -- or you’re just not sure of your current spiritual status -- I believe this message, When He Says, can help you. In it, I share some insight into the following realities: You have already won the battle! You fight against a defeated enemy! And you will have the opportunity to build your OWN memorials of victory!
No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 (NLT)
Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ and only Christ. Our achievements of eternal significance are not based on our abilities, wisdom, or power. True success is based on obedience to God. Meaning, if we desire a position in the winner’s circle and experience overwhelming victory, we must only be obedient to God’s commands.
God is more interested in who you are becoming than what you are doing.
The Israelites may have started as one thing, but little by little, they became something new. The same experience can be your testimony. All you have to do is keep putting one foot in front of the other in obedience to God to see victory and success in your life. Obedience is enough because God says it’s enough! In fact, He loves your obedience more than any sacrifice you can ever give. And, in that vein, as you will learn in the message, When He Says, your disobedience doesn't mean God stops loving you, but your obedience to Him keeps you perpetually in His blessings and joy.
As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! John 15:9-10 (NKJV)
Get under the spout where the glory is coming out! Allow obedience to God’s commandments to position you under the heavens already open with his overflowing blessings!