God delights in accomplishing His plan through ordinary people like you and me. He can, and has, removed huge barriers in our lives all by Himself. But more often He chooses to work through us so that we can grow our faith by being an active participant.
Joshua had that opportunity, too. He faced many obstacles in his life that God chose to remove by making Joshua an active participant. Joshua had been Moses’ right-hand man. Now Moses had died and it was Joshua’s turn to lead God’s people into the Promised Land – finally. Forty years earlier, Joshua had gotten a glimpse of the Promised Land, only to have the Doubting Dans and Negative Nellies cause a 40-year detour.
Joshua had remained faithful for those difficult 40 years in the wilderness. The time had come for him to lead God’s people into the Promised Land. No sooner had they crossed the Jordan River than an obstacle arose. A big obstacle. Jericho, a huge fortified city of people whose hearts chose not to believe in God, and who had absolutely no intention of moving out of the land that belonged to God’s people.
Joshua couldn’t just walk up to the city gates, knock on the door and say, “Excuse me, I think you’re in my space….” (that rarely works on an airplane, it certainly wouldn’t work with Jericho!) God had a different plan – one that would actively involve Joshua and His people. God told them to march. March forth. Step out in faith. Follow the specific plan God had devised, and march around Jericho. God promised Joshua it would be a success, that God had already won the victory. The people just needed to march forth. And when they did, the walls of Jericho came down.
You likely have situations in your life and your business where you, like Joshua, have had a glimpse of a goal, a “promised land.” But there has been a Jericho standing between you and it. Remember this – if it is God’s will, He has already won the victory over your Jericho. God is watching for you to march forth – step out, take action, so He can work through you to bring the walls down.
“Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands…. March….'”
-Joshua 6:2,3
