God's chosen successor to Moses, the leader of the children of Israel, was Joshua. Joshua had been Moses' assistant. The Bible tells us that Joshua loved God and was obedient to Him.
Joshua 6 recounts the story of the battle of Jericho. Jericho was a city that was fortified with high walls. Walls were built, not so much as a way to keep people in, but to keep people out. God told Joshua that he was going to give Jericho into his hand. He was specific about how this was to be accomplished. God told him that he was to have the people march around the city of Jericho one time per day for six days. Joshua told them, "You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, 'Shout!' Then you shall shout." The people proceeded to march around the city. Priests carried the Ark of the Covenant, and "then seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the Lord went on continually and blew with the trumpets. And the armed men went before them. But the rear guard came after the ark of the Lord, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets." On the seventh day, Joshua instructed them to march around the city seven times. When the priests blew the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, "Shout for the Lord has given you this city!" The people shouted and the walls fell flat. The barriers came down. They took the city!
Have you ever had a situation in your life where you needed answers or even deliverance? Maybe you or someone you love is there now. Maybe you have an important, life-changing decision to make. It could be that you are on the verge of a divorce, if God doesn't come through for you. Is there something that has a stronghold in your life; an addiction to food, the computer, your phone, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, sex? There are times in our life when we need intercession on our behalf. At other times, we are called to be the intercessors for others. Whichever and whatever the case may be, we all need a Savior. We are all called to repentance. We all need redemption.
Last week, my sleep was disturbed often as I was called to prayer. My heart was burdened for situations that I was aware of; for people who had asked me to pray for specific needs in their lives. Around the clock I was called to pray. There were times that I had no more words to say or things to request of God. The Bible tell us that there are times when the Spirit prays for us, because we have utterances too deep to speak. I knew that I didn't have the answers or solutions, or the power to change things, but that God did and does!
One of those days, I was reading my Bible and came across the story of the battle of Jericho. I've read it many times before, but this particular day the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart. He assured me that there were many of us who had been called to march around the city of strongholds in the lives of these people we know and love, and that He was going to break down the walls and bring about deliverance and healing. Up to that point, my heart had been so heavy. After this, I felt the burden lifted and peace came. I know that there will be victory in the end, and that God will receive the glory for it all.
God hears the prayers of his people. He does what he says he will do. Even when the walls are high and formidable, there can be victory. The walls of sin that imprison us and separate us from God can be destroyed! Be an intercessor for others. When you need prayer, don't be shy in asking for it. When believers march around the walls in the name of the Lord, and SHOUT against the enemy, deliverance is sure to come!
