Joshua 6:1-5<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joshua needed God\u2019s guidance as he faced one of the most crucial moments of his life.\u00a0 He already knew the outcome of the battle against Jericho since the Lord had promised him success.\u00a0 The specific strategy God gave him, however, was so atypical that it must have made his jaw drop.\u00a0 But despite any concern they may have felt, Joshua and the entire army believed the Lord and followed the unusual plan to the letter. \u00a0
Although we won\u2019t face that exact situation, there will be times when obedience to God\u2019s Word will be a challenge because it goes against our natural reasoning.\u00a0 Therefore, we hesitate, rationalize, or make excuses why we can\u2019t possibly do what He says.\u00a0 For example, consider these commands:
*\u00a0 Don\u2019t be anxious about anything, but pray about everything (Phil. 4:6).
*\u00a0 Forgive one another just as God in Christ forgave you (Eph. 4:32)
*\u00a0 Fix your hope, not on the uncertainty of riches but on God (1 Timothy 6:17).
*\u00a0 Consider it joy when you encounter trials (James 1:2)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just as Joshua\u2019s instructions didn\u2019t seem reasonable, these directives don\u2019t always make sense to us either, but God insists they\u2019re for our good.\u00a0 It\u2019s our job to trust His wisdom and obey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joshua 6:1-5 Joshua needed God\u2019s guidance as he faced one of the most crucial moments of his life.\u00a0 He already knew the outcome of the battle against Jericho since the Lord had promised him success.\u00a0 The specific strategy God gave him, however, was so atypical that it must have made his jaw drop.\u00a0 But despite […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":402,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2284","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stolaffd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2284","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stolaffd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stolaffd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stolaffd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/402"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stolaffd.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2284"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.stolaffd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2284\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2285,"href":"https:\/\/www.stolaffd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2284\/revisions\/2285"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stolaffd.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2284"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stolaffd.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2284"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stolaffd.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2284"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Please open your bible to the following scripture:\u00a0 Joshua 6:1-5
Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites.\u00a0 No one went out and no one came in.\u00a0 Then the Lord said to Joshua, \u201cSee, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.\u00a0 March around the city once with all the armed men.\u00a0 Do this for six days.\u00a0 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams\u2019 horns in front of the ark.\u00a0 On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets.\u00a0 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.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thoughts from Joshua 6:1-5
God told Joshua that Jericho was already delivered into his hands\u2014the enemy was already defeated!\u00a0 What confidence Joshua must have had as he went into battle!\u00a0 Christians also fight against a defeated enemy.\u00a0 Our enemy, Satan, has been defeated by Christ.\u00a0 Although we still fight battles every day and sin runs rampant in the world, we have the assurance that the war has already been won.\u00a0 We do not have to be paralyzed by the power of a defeated enemy; we can overcome him through Christ\u2019s power.\u00a0 We may not conquer nations, but every day we face tough situations, difficult people, and temptations.\u00a0 God promises, however, that he will never abandon us or fail to help us.\u00a0 By asking God to direct us we can conquer many of life\u2019s challenges.\u00a0 Guidance from God for daily living can be found in his Word.\u00a0 By staying in touch with God, we will have the needed wisdom to meet the challenges of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key thought:\u00a0
Our strength to do God\u2019s work comes from trusting him.\u00a0 His promises reassure of his love and that he will be there to guide us in the decisions and struggles we face.\u00a0 Faith begins with believing he can be trusted.\u00a0 TRUST AND OBEY
Blessings from the Youth Committee
References:\u00a0 God\u2019s Word NIV and In Touch Ministries<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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