By Faith: Bringing Down the Walls
Scripture Reading — Joshua 5:13-6:16, 20
By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
Hebrews 11:30
Israel’s entry into the promised land was up against a wall. They had no advanced weaponry or military strategy. But they did have something that was far better and more powerful. Israel had God.
But how can God’s people access and apply the power of God?
It can happen in various ways, but it happens only by faithful dependence on God. With God’s help, Israel fought more than a few battles. God’s power can also come through the words of a prophet or in response to an offering.
Now, acts of faith in God may not always look very powerful or impressive. Some Israelites may well have muttered: “What’s the point of all this walking around these walls?”
For that matter, does prayer look powerful and impressive?
Or how about submitting to death on a cross?
Israel had to learn what we all repeatedly have to relearn: that the biggest obstacles to receiving the promised land, God’s kingdom, are not enemy walls or armies. The biggest obstacles are the forces of Satan, sin, and its consequences. And the only power that can defeat them is the power of God. Through faith in Jesus, God works his power to fulfill his promises.
Lord, you sent Jesus to break down all the walls that can come between us and your coming kingdom. Help us to believe in and trust in him each day. Amen.
About the author — Gordon Pols
Rev. Gordon Pols and his wife, Ann, have two married children and two grandchildren. After serving four congregations in Western and Central Canada, Rev. Pols retired from active ministry in 2007. He is currently doing parttime pastoral work with West End Christian Reformed Church, Edmonton, Alberta. He also works parttime for Crossroad Bible Institute, promoting a Bible study correspondence course for prison inmates.
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