DAY 8

“What promise are you circling? What miracle are you believing God for? Whatever it is that you’re circling during this series, you need to make sure it is bigger than you are. That’s how God gets the glory! He does things that are beyond our ability, and beyond our resources, so we can’t take credit for it. Two things about God that I know to be true are that God is bigger than big and God is closer than close. And those two realities shape our prayer life.”

- Mark Batterson

TODAYS READING: Joshua 6

PRAYER: "God, as I open myself up to you in these moments to read this passage fresh and anew, I ask that you reveal to me that which you would have me learn today. Help me see. More than that, I pray for transformation as I take what you show me and apply it to my life. Amen."

Joshua 6:1–5:

1. Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.

2. Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.

3. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days.

4. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets.

5. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”

Take a minute to pray and meditate on this passage; then write down your personal reflections. What was one thing that stood out to you from the Scripture?

____________________________________________________

Have you been in a spot where you knew you were following God’s direction but were still waiting for God to move?

The Israelites found themselves in that exact same spot when they approached Jericho. Joshua led the nation of Israel into the Promised Land to claim the promises that God had made for them. One of the cities that stood between God’s people and God’s promise was a heavily fortified city surrounded by a strong wall.

God spoke to Joshua God told them exactly what to do. “‘The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Look, I have handed Jericho, it’s king, and it’s best soldiers over to you’” (Joshua 6:2). God reassured them that the victory is God’s and that they would be successful if they obeyed.

The plan was unorthodox. They were instructed to walk around and trust God to breakdown the walls. God told Joshua, “March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days” (Joshua 6:3). On the seventh day “march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the trumpets. When there is a prolonged blast of the horn and you hear its sound, have all the troops give a mighty shout. Then the city wall will collapse, and the troops will advance, each man straight ahead” (Joshua 6:4-5). The walls would breakdown because the God of miracles was fighting for the Israelites.

As I read this passage I often place myself into the account. Knowing that the battle was ours, would I have doubted that God was going to show up on the seventh day? Would I have trusted God’s plan even though I didn’t see Him move for the first six days? Would I have become over-eager and stormed ahead without God and before His appointed time?

The Israelites trusted in God and His timing. On the seventh day the army marched around seven times. Then, with the blast of music and shouts, the walls fell down. God was faithful to accomplish what He had promised.

God may be preparing you for a new opportunity in the future. But don’t miss out on today’s tasks, ministry, and opportunities. God is trustworthy and faithful to accomplish what He says He will do. Trust in His timing and be faithful as He prepares the way.

Live It:

• Do you find it difficult to wait for God’s perfect timing?

• How has God been faithful in your life?

• How do past victories help you to rely on God when new opportunities arise?

MEET US TONIGHT @ KRC or on Livestream, 7pm.

krctoday.org