VICTORY AT JERICHO

Needless to say, but it behooves me to say it anyway, the One true God controls any and every event and circumstance in the universe. Some may question, REALLY? And I would respond with a resounding, YES!!! Besides, His Word itself served as the exclusive source of truth and concrete evidence of that awe-inspiring act of creative brilliance, and at the very least: "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast." (Psalm 33:6-9).

However, and as was illustrated above, the only wise God who wields incomparable power and an unquenchable love, is faithful to those who stay faithful and obedient by keeping His commandments. Hence, the subject of today's message focuses on the atypical battle of the ancient city, Jericho. Even before the conflict ensued, God had already put in place a strategy that would cultivate the minds and hearts of His people. And under the command of His humble servant, Joshua, who demonstrated courage second to none and coupled with a love for His God that rivaled most, if not all. This would translate into a unique identity characterized by Israel's humble submission to Almighty God and victory would be assured over any and all enemy combatants.

Are you, and me as well, beginning to see or sense some real similarities here? And the answer, again, would more than likely be a resounding, YES!!! With trust and obedience at the forefront, how many of us are able to count the number of times that we were able to prevail over any and every trial that spelled defeat in our minds, but the LORD had already given us victory. But let's be clear, I'm talkin' 'bout a spiritual conquest over any attack or condition, either real or conceived, that served to preserve us as opposed to defeating us: "Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life; But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (John 6:60-63; 1 Corinthians 15:57-58).

The LORD's Word never changes and what a refreshing revelation and a genuine blessing that, again, is contained in His holy, righteous and unchanging Word. As it was with Joshua and the Israelites then, it is the same for us now. And I am suggesting that both we and God's chosen people walk on common ground, so to speak, and from a spiritual perspective. And I repeat, a truly loving and forgiving God never changes: "For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." (Malachi 3:6-10).

Now, and just to briefly revisit to the creation narrative at the inception of this message, If God chooses to create, there are instances where He chooses, and as His will dictates, to destroy. Thus, and in light of this truth, there should be no question concerning His providential care and leading of His chosen people to triumph over Jericho. More specifically, Jericho was an enemy of God's people, Israel, and nothing less than the total annihilation of Jericho was impending. In other words, any other option was simply not an option because the people of Jericho, and as residents of the land of Canaan, were downright and unquestionably evil. The Word of God teaches us that under no uncertain terms, Creator God hates evil: "For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man." (Psalm 5:4-6).

The sequence of this spectacular battle scene is nothing short of mind-boggling! Such a remarkably unique battle strategy instituted by God at Jericho is truly one of its kind. Most, if not all, would agree that by human standards such a battle strategy would have been utterly illogical and unacceptable. For human motives would have dictated the development of a superior army/fighting force with advanced weaponry. However, this would have served to confuse the Israelite's identity with their mortal enemy. Thus, there would have been no distinction between the two, and they would have met the same fate. Besides, the battle was not Israel's, the battle was the LORD'S and His exclusively. Israel's job would be the work of their faith: "And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him." (Joshua 6:3-5).

And as Joshua conquered during his time, so too, would the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ conquer a century hence (or later) in the Garden of Gethsemane and ultimately at Calvary and on the cross. His would be victory over our mortal enemies, sin, death and the grave for the deliverance of the diligently faithful few. The devil, his demons and our lustful flesh would serve as our enemy combatants. Thus, this would be representative of that same spiritual battle fought by God and conquering Jericho for His faithful and yet few, Israel: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved; And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." (John 3:16-17; Romans 8:28-29).

Beloved, as we arrive at the closure and conclusion of the wise and wonderful Word of God, be ever vigilant and sober and hide in the depths of your heart, soul and mind the following passage. It was spoken by Jesus, Himself: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 13:34,14:1-3).

Finally and never forget: STAND STILL...