Prayer Journal

Thursday, November 6, 2003

The Bible says God moves in mysterious ways, his wonders to perform, but I find it extremely interesting that He enjoys the company of man when doing so. Take Joshua for example.

Joshua followed a great leader in Moses and probably felt a little intimidated to be compared to him. Still, he was leader of God's people and as such was expected to demonstrate leadership qualities which began with total dependence on God.

I can only imagine what he was thinking when he encountered the angel with a drawn sword on the road to Jericho. "Are you for us or our enemies?" Joshua asked. "Neither," the angel replied. "I've come as commander of God's army." Joshua probably was thinking of a better way to rephrase his question because he understood God to be on the side of the Israelites.

Later he was told by the Lord that Jericho was being given to the Israelites, but there was still something they must do to enjoy victory. They must march around the city for six days in full armament following the Ark of the Covenant, which trailed seven priests blowing ram's horn trumpets. On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times before the seven priests sounded a long sustained trumpet blast after which the soldiers were to shout. The angel said it was then - AFTER they had displayed faith for seven days, that the walls of the city would collapse.

What can we learn from this lesson? The writer of Hebrews said it was the faith of the people marching around standing city walls that brought the walls down. It was not their strength, their military genius or even the fact that they represented God's interest. It was faith. You know, I imagine many of those marching men looked at one another while they were walking and without saying a word, considered the fact Joshua might have lost his mind, but God still honored the faith of Joshua and most of the men.

Interestingly, the number seven means perfection according to numerology. All things considered, the number literally demonstrates God works through people who, with confident trust, are willing to wait for his timing and trust the results.

Scripture says faith is the evidence of what we hope for when we can't see what we're hoping for. (Heb 12:1) Do you a faith that honors God? A God honoring faith believes that something you've prayed about will happen, even though you can't see any indication that it will and even though everyone around you tries to convince you that it won't.

If you're like most people, you'll trust God by walking around the object of your prayer six times, not seven. You'll stop praying before you receive the answer - so close, but so far. You see, "six" is the number of man. In other words, we prove our humanity and our lack of faith, by giving up just before God is ready to deliver Jericho into our hands.

Just remember - some things never change: when God says seven, six won't do!

Just Thinkin'... WebServant

Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

Copyright © 1998-2003 James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries
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