Silent Obedient Marching

Last night I had a conversation with a dear friend who was saying that she and her husband felt the Lord's leading to put their house on the market, down-size in their expenses, whereby lifting some of their financial burden. This move would enable them to do more with their family, instead of so often having to say "sorry kids, we don't have the money to do that. They followed God's leading, and while there have been a few "nibbles" on their property, nothing for them really, has changed. There are no clear signs that this is, in fact, God's will for them, despite what they had earlier believed. And, while they have worked through other issues regarding money, the burden is still the same, and in some ways it is even more difficult, since one of them is in business for themselves and their services are being cut back due to the current economy.

In response to this, I heard myself say "well, yes . . . but remember it was God's will for the walls of Jericho to fall (Joshua 6:1-27), but it took silent obedient marching around the city 7 times before they did!

All night in my sleep I had been thinking about this, and it was on my mind this morning when I awoke . . . "silent obedient marching . . . until God moves." So, I got up and read the passage again and found nuggets of gold from God, tucked away as little notations I had written to myself in the margins of my Bible, from another time of study. It was a "blast from the past" of sermon preparation from some years back. Six simple points that came forth, beginning in chapter five.

#1. When faced with any challenge; know who is on your side!
-When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and noticed a man standing across from him, alarmed, Joshua grabbed his sword and basically said "friend or foe?" The man responded that heaven was on his side. We always need to remember, that if God be for us who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

#2. -Respond with acknowledgement that God is at hand, by being quick to worship Him! (Joshua 5:14)

#3. -Take God with you through the plan (Joshua 6:6). Meaning, don't get your marching orders and then take off on "your" own journey. Keep the main thing, the main thing. And the main thing is GOD! Keep Him at the center of all that you do.

#4. -Keep your mouth shut! (Joshua 6:10) Don't complain about how long it is taking. Don't question how small the steps are, that you are taking. Just silently keep marching. Don't doubt, don't fret and don't re-think the plan.

#5. -Shout For The Goal. (Joshua 6:16)Interestingly, the victory of the walls of Jericho falling didn't happen on their own. Instead the shout came first and then the victory. That tells me that we need to declare God's victory BEFORE we SEE God's victory!

#6. -Don't covet anything from the victory and take no part of it for yourselves, that guarantees trouble will come! Don't keep any of the bounty, nor any of the victory. If you do, God's blessing, will become a curse to you. (Joshua 6:18)

So, If you believe God has spoken about a "battle plan," keep marching; be quiet for a time . . . and then shout for the victory, and watch those walls tumble!