DRAWING NEAR
November 29
Conquering in Conflict
"By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been
encircled for seven days" (Heb. 11:30).
Faith is the key to spiritual conquest.
Forty years had lapsed since the Israelites refused to enter the
Promised Land. That unbelieving generation had perished in the
wilderness. Now Joshua was leading a new generation into the land.
The first obstacle they faced was Jericho--a well- fortified city
that was near the mouth of the Jordan River.
Some city walls of that day were wide enough at the top to allow two
chariots to ride side-by-side. That was probably true of Jericho
because of its strategic location. That, coupled with the caliber of
its army, made the city virtually impregnable-- especially to
unsophisticated Israelites, who lacked military training.
But what is impossible for man is easy for God. And the stage was set
for Him to demonstrate His power and for the Israelites to
demonstrate their faith and humility.
One can only imagine how embarrassed the Hebrew people felt as they
marched around Jericho once a day for six days. That certainly is not
your typical military strategy. But on the seventh day, after
marching around the city seven times with the priests blowing their
rams' horns, the priests gave one final blast, the people all shouted
out loud, and the walls of the city collapsed (Josh. 6:20). Faith had
reduced a formidable obstacle to a crumbled ruin.
Can you identify some spiritual obstacles you've faced recently? How
did you handle them? You'll always have them to deal with in your
Christian walk, but don't fret. See them as opportunities to exercise
faith and see God's power on display in your life. Continue to trust
the Lord and demonstrate your faith by courageously doing what He has
called you to do.
Suggestions for Prayer:
Ask God to help you humbly trust in God's power when you face
spiritual conflicts.
For Further Study:
Read about the conquest of Jericho in Joshua 6:1-21. Note each
occasion where the people obeyed one of Joshua's commands without
hesitation.
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
Joshua 6:1-21
1 Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of
Israel; none went out, and none came in.
2 And the LORD said to Joshua: "See! I have given Jericho into your
hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.
3 "You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go
all around the city once. This you shall do six days.
4 "And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before
the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven
times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.
5 "It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram's
horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people
shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall
down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him."
6 Then Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them,
"Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven
trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD."
7 And he said to the people, "Proceed, and march around the city,
and let him who is armed advance before the ark of the LORD."
8 So it was, when Joshua had spoken to the people, that the seven
priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the LORD
advanced and blew the trumpets, and the ark of the covenant of the
LORD followed them.
9 The armed men went before the priests who blew the trumpets, and
the rear guard came after the ark, while the priests continued
blowing the trumpets.
10 Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying, "You shall not shout
or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of
your mouth, until the day I say to you, 'Shout!' Then you shall
shout."
11 So he had the ark of the LORD circle the city, going around it
once. Then they came into the camp and lodged in the camp.
12 And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the
ark of the LORD.
13 Then seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before
the ark of the LORD went on continually and blew with the trumpets.
And the armed men went before them. But the rear guard came after the
ark of the LORD, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets.
14 And the second day they marched around the city once and returned
to the camp. So they did six days.
15 But it came to pass on the seventh day that they rose early,
about the dawning of the day, and marched around the city seven times
in the same manner. On that day only they marched around the city
seven times.
16 And the seventh time it happened, when the priests blew the
trumpets, that Joshua said to the people: "Shout, for the LORD has
given you the city!
17 "Now the city shall be doomed by the LORD to destruction, it and
all who are in it. Only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all who
are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we
sent.
18 "And you, by all means abstain from the accursed things, lest you
become accursed when you take of the accursed things, and make the
camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.
19 "But all the silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are
consecrated to the LORD; they shall come into the treasury of the
LORD."
20 So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it
happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the
people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then
the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and
they took the city.
21 And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and
woman, young and old, ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the
sword.
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
letters@gty.org
NOTE for those of you reading via newsgroups: If you wish to reach
me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase@wowway.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
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There is a living God. He has spoken in His word. He means just what he says, and will do all that He has promised. - Hudson Taylor
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