The first half of Joshua, chapters 1-11, contains thrilling, incredible stories—a spy adventure, the surprising faith of a Canaanite woman named Rahab, the supernatural splitting of the Jordan river, the earth swallowing rebellious Israelites, and the sun standing still in the sky during a fierce battle. The latter half of the book, chapters 12-24, is about the distribution of the Promised Land to the tribes of Israel, the renewal of the covenant with their God Yahweh, and the death of their leader Joshua.
God said to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). God goes before you and is fighting for you.
How do we become courageous overcomers?
1. Surrender to God’s sovereignty. After the Israelites crossed the river Jordan, the first major obstacle was the powerful city of Jericho, full of fierce warriors and guarded by thick, high walls.
Joshua was wondering how to take on this walled city when suddenly he saw a man in front of him with his sword drawn. Joshua asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” The man replied, “Neither, but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”
This man was a manifestation of Yahweh. He told Joshua to remove his sandals (5:15) because the ground he was standing on was holy.
God is sovereign. He doesn’t need an earthly commander like Joshua, or an army like Israel. He is fully capable of bringing about his plans independent of anyone. Yet He invites Joshua and the Israelites (and you and me) to be a part in carrying out His plan.
Joshua needed to bow down before the Lord in order to conquer for the Lord.
2. Rely on God’s power. Jericho was in the distance, still standing. The gates of Jericho were securely barred. No one could go out or come in. And Joshua was called to rely, not on his own power, but on God’s. The Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered (past tense) Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men” (Joshua 6:2). The battle was already won.
God said, “March around the city every day for 6 days, march around it 7 times on the 7th day, then blow the trumpets and shout, and the walls will come down.” Sounds crazy! But they did it, and God’s divine power brought the walls down. God himself and His heavenly army were fighting for the Israelites. The battle belongs to the Lord.
Trusting in God’s power brings a peace that passes all understanding; brings joy, patience, and confidence; and gives all the credit to God. Trust in his power. God and all his heavenly host are with us, going ahead of us and fighting for us.
3. Follow God’s instructions. Joshua and the Israelites followed God’s instructions precisely and the Lord gave them complete victory. Obedience leads to victory. We receive God’s instructions through reading God's Word, praying, fasting, and seeking wise counsel. No matter how strange, counter-intuitive, or counter-cultural, no matter how long it takes till we start to see change, we’re called to follow God's instructions.
It took 7 days for the walls of Jericho to fall. No matter how long it takes—days, months or years—keep following God’s instructions. Keep walking in his ways, obeying, praying, worshipping and trusting. Keep doing what God is calling you to do, and you will see the walls of your Jericho fall.