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OVERCOMING JERICHO

God wants to work with us once we come to faith in Christ. See Jeremiah 18. God wants to take the clay of our lives and use His hands to mould us into something beautiful and useful.

1. Assessment of a task (5:13)

Joshua's assessment of the task - Joshua is looking at this amazing city. Joshua was a soldier. He was always ready to fight. The walls of Jericho were impressive. Joshua no doubt wondered how he might overcome this obstacle. What is challenging your life at the moment?
God's assessment of the task - As Joshua looks at Jericho, God is looking at Joshua. God saw a different task from Joshua. Joshua wonders if the person is an ally or a foe. When Joshua realises it is the Lord, he falls down in worship. Joshua was fighting the wrong battle. His eyes go from the city to the Lord. We need to hear the Lord in our situations. God is in our obstacles to help us.

2. Adjustment in a life (5:14-15)

Joshua falls down. The question is now, "What do you want to say to me?". Joshua is teachable in the midst of a difficult task. Joshua thought he needed his sandals and sword. The Angel of the Lord tells Joshua to take off his sandals. Joshua has to recognise God's presence in all this. God has to be given His place. God wants to make us more like Jesus. This is an important task.

3. Assurance from the Lord (6:1-5)

Things could have been different if Joshua had not spent time with God. The Lord had already delivered Jesus into their hands. It is like knowing the football score before you watch the highlights - although in this case the match hasn't even started!

God's plan must have seen very dodgy to Joshua. To a soldier it would sound ridiculous. There was no swords involved. They were to walk around for a week and then make a great noise. Yet they did it and the walls of Jericho fell flat. The Lord's way and timing are not the same as us. God did this miracle ultimately for His glory.