Pastoral Resource Ministries, Inc. An Outreach Resource Ministry A Ministry for the Millennium |
Words of Inspiration for the Week of March 28, 2004 |
Home | Fundraising Compaign | Training Institute | Weekly Inspirational Messages | Christian Oscar Night |
To contact Pastor Thelma Gilbert For more information write or call us at: Pastoral Resource Ministries, Inc. P.O. Box 7232, Bloomfield, CT 06002 Phone (860) 243-2168 - Fax: (860) 242-1838 email: prministrie@snet.net |
At the end of Joshua Chapter 2, the Captain of the Lord's host appears unto Joshua. Joshua asked the man whom he saw, "Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?" The Captain of the Lord of host said, Nay: but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come" (Joshua 5:13-15). This theophany, this manifestation of God to Joshua, causes him to realize that he was standing on holy ground and in the presence of the Lord. In Joshua chapter 6 we have the first order of the Captain of the host of the Lord, namely, the conquest of Jericho. Jericho was the strategic key of the land, being situated at the entrance of the two passes through the hills' one leading to Jerusalem, the other to Ai and Bethel. Jericho was the first object of attack by Israel. Its miraculous overthrow was a fitting prelude to the victorious occupation of Canaan, in which the people were to become so dependent upon the drawn sword of the Captain. It is an undeniable fact that at the blowing of the rams' horns the walls fell flat, except the one part where Rahab lived. Joshua could not use any of his military skills to overthrow Jericho. The orders of the divine Captain were explicit. The armed forces of Israel had to march around the walls one time a day for six successive days. On the seventh day they were to surround the city by marching around the wall seven successive times, with the priest bearing the ark of the Lord, which was a symbol of God's presence. The trumpets were to blast in token of God's almighty power. The seven-day's march around the city walls of Jericho in absolute silence, was well calculated to impress on the inhabitants the lesson of the forbearance of God. When the march ended and the last loud blast of the trumpets sound was heard, the people gave a mighty shout and the walls of Jericho fell down. The Israelites entered the city and overthrew it. We cannot leave the miracle at Jericho without observing the miracle of faith and grace which the writer of the epistle of Hebrews must have had in mind when he rehearsed the heroes of "faith" in Israel. He speaks of the people passing, by "faith" through the Red Sea on dry ground. He speaks of the Egyptians being drowned in the Red Sea once the Israelites passed over to the other side on dry ground (Hebrews 11:29). But the next verse skips forty years and says, "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down: (Hebrews 11:30). There are lessons of faith for every blood washed born again child of God in the name of Jesus Christ to learn from the destruction of Jericho. The first lesson is that faith pleases God. "â €¦Without faith it is impossible to please God…" (Hebrews 11:6). Second, we need to realize that "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11: 1). We walk by faith and not by sight. What appear to be obstacles in our lives are opportunities for God to prove Himself to us. Third, when we encounter Jericho walls in our lives we must realize that "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:4) no matter how strong they may be. Fourth, when we are walking with God, we should always remember, that "we are more than conquerors through him (Christ Jesus) who loved us" (Romans 8:37). Be Blessed! Pastor Thelma Gilbert "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God..." (1 John 4:7) |
"The Power Of Faith" (Joshua Chapter 6) |