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Introduction:
Ever been on a flight delayed by fog? Frustrating! A fellow pastor shared testimony of a recent delay. After the groans of announcement…he prayed, 'God you can handle this. Remind them they have radar and to use it! I want to get home now…if not sooner!' They didn't take off for hours but it was a beautiful view and a safe flight…God answered his prayers…in His time! Has this ever happened to you? Have you had big plans and you were in a hurry to see them accomplished? Then something unforeseen happened and you had a delay. When that delay occurred…did you push God to get busy?
We are such fickle creatures…we ask God for His protection and then we whine about the events that surround us. The fact is we never know the number of times God has intervened upon our circumstances and answered our prayer for protection! We don't know the pilot; we don't know if he is an alcoholic or drug addict. We have no idea about his character or his flying skills. Still, we are willing to bet our life on his ability to fly through the fog! How many times must God remind us about the essence of trust? We are so quick to dismiss the God of our faith. Why are we not surprised at ourselves when we trust a man we do not know, to take us somewhere he cannot see, when we will not trust God to take us where He can see? In a new year, we must learn to view possibilities through the eyes of God. We have so much trust in man to get us where we need to go…why not transfer that trust to the King of Kings and trust Him to take us where He wills!
Just as the Israelites were on the verge of finally obtaining their Promised Land in Joshua 6, I believe that GracePoint Fellowship Baptist Church is at the same juncture . . . and we must learn to fully trust God! We have a huge challenge ahead of us and we need to respond to it in the right way. Joshua had a huge challenge and had a great victory and reward. So how did Joshua respond to the enormous challenge in order to get that victory? Read Joshua 6:1-20 and see what he had learned.
I. Joshua learned to trust God's promises (v. 2).
In Joshua 6:2, God tells Joshua emphatically, 'See, I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.' We are reminded of two essential issues:
A. Truth is the essence of God's nature.
God cannot tell a lie. His nature is truth and faithfulness. God is truth. You will never receive anything from Him but the truth.
B. For proof, look to the past.
This reminds us about a similar promise that God made to Joshua in Joshua 1:2, 3. He states, 'Now therefore, arise, and go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them-the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you.' God had not only been faithful to Moses...He had been faithful to Joshua as well.
II. Joshua learned to trust God's Plan (vv. 6-10).
A. God's plan is always to our advantage.
While God's plan may seem complicated and odd, rest assured that He always wants the best for His children.
B. His plan is never designed to exalt us.
Marching around Jericho was unorthodox at best. After all, no bombs or air assaults, just faithful followers trusting Him to provide. It may not have looked or sounded like a great strategic plan, but God said do it..and God blessed them when they followed His plan.
III. Joshua had to learn to trust God's Power (v. 11).
A. His power is without limit. God can do anything!
The ark of the Lord represented His presence and power among His people. His presence and His power were not just 'out there' they were actually with and amid the people of God. The armored soldiers were out front, the ark was in the middle and all the 'regular folks' were following behind.
B. His power is personal.
While the battle is ultimately God's to win, He allows His followers the privilege to participate. This is when we become representative of His provision! Never get confused that His power is in our pocket. The power of God is His own to command, but He allows us to share in His plan and in carrying out His plan.
IV. Joshua had to learn to trust God's Provision (v. 20).
A Obedience comes before provision.
The people marched as they were told; they shouted only when they were encouraged. As a result, 'The wall fell down flat.
Obedience is essential if we are to expect God to deliver.
B. God knows how to finish the job.
The use of the emphatic word flat shows that God rewards faithfulness and is committed to fully meeting the needs of His children.
They did not have to climb a huge wall at their own peril. God brought it flat and probably most of Jericho's army with it!
Conclusion:
God has a promised place for every Christian if they are willing to be faithful.
The bottom line: What can God do through you and our congregation in a new year,
-if you are willing to radically trust His leadership and calling?
Is there anything that God cannot do through His people when they are obedient to His Word?
-God will surely hold up His end...what will we do this year?
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