Once again I would like to share a day of this devotional I just finished, explaining a bit about my favorite number. It’s day 7 of a plan called: Walls Fall Down: God’s Unusual Plan For Victory. Enjoy and have a blessed weekend!
We see the number seven many times throughout the Bible. It’s the number of divine perfection. It’s a number of purpose. And in the battle of Jericho, it’s a number that represents God’s blessing.
God told the Israelites to walk around the walls of Jericho for seven days led by seven priests. On the seventh day, they were to march around the walls seven times. God promised that at the end of their seventh circuit around Jericho on the seventh day, the walls would collapse. The Israelites believed in the Lord’s greatness and His plan for victory. They remained united, like-minded, holy, consistent, and obedient. And on the seventh day, they conquered the unconquerable and took possession of the Promised Land.
Seven was the number God gave to Israel, but He may have a different number or timeframe for you. It could be seven weeks, months, or years—or longer—but rest assured that the Lord knows your number. In His sovereignty, He knows the precise time your victory is coming.
Psalm 139:16 reveals that God had all your days written down in His book before one of them came to be. Your job is to have faith. Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s, but know the Lord is preparing you for victory by shaping you in the difficult times.
Jesus endured a season of suffering as He submitted to God’s plan. He experienced betrayal, naysayers, doubters, haters, and excruciating pain as He hung upon the cross. He went through this great trial—for what must have seemed like an eternity—because of His great love for us. Hebrews 12:1-3 says that Christ was able to see the glory and joy set before Him. He is our supreme example that there is hope even during our trials and great reward awaiting us.
During your walk around the walls of your personal Jericho, you may experience pain and uncertainty. But if you are faithful and follow God’s plan, you will see the walls fall down in God’s perfect timing. And just as the Israelites shouted and sounded the trumpets at the end of their journey, you too will celebrate your victory. That very moment is worth all the pain and strife that preceded it.
God’s power and His love for you are greater than any obstacle you may be facing today. Trust in the unfailing character of the Lord. Follow His plan, and see the walls fall down.
Joshua 6:20-27 [HCSB] — “So the people shouted, and the trumpets sounded. When they heard the blast of the trumpet, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. The people advanced into the city, each man straight ahead, and they captured the city. They completely destroyed everything in the city with the sword — every man and woman, both young and old, and every ox, sheep, and donkey. Joshua said to the two men who had scouted the land, “Go to the prostitute’s house and bring the woman out of there, and all who are with her, just as you promised her.” So the young men who had scouted went in and brought out Rahab and her father, mother, brothers, and all who belonged to her. They brought out her whole family and settled them outside the camp of Israel. They burned up the city and everything in it, but they put the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the Lord’s house. However, Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, her father’s household, and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent to spy on Jericho, and she lives in Israel to this day. At that time Joshua imposed this curse: The man who undertakes the rebuilding of this city, Jericho, is cursed before the Lord. He will lay its foundation at the cost of his firstborn; he will set up its gates at the cost of his youngest. And the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land.”
Psalms 139:1-16 [HCSB] — “Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I stand up; You understand my thoughts from far away. You observe my travels and my rest; You are aware of all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, Lord. You have encircled me; You have placed Your hand on me. This extraordinary knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty; I am unable to reach it. Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits, even there Your hand will lead me; Your right hand will hold on to me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night” — even the darkness is not dark to You. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to You. For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well. My bones were not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began.”
Hebrews 12:2 [HCSB] — “keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.”
Tashmness. 