How God Works Through Our Obedience

Jan Lashbrook
Obedience to God’s Word—even when it doesn’t make sense—can bring victory and blessings.

Joshua 6:1–27 recounts the story of the destruction of the walls of Jericho, vividly demonstrating the miraculous power of God. After 40 years of wandering in the desert, the Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land of Canaan. But a huge obstacle was in their way—the city of Jericho, a virtually impregnable walled city. Archeologists reveal the stone wall surrounding the city was between 11–14 feet high and about 14 feet wide. At the top was a sloped stone, angling up 35 feet, where it joined enormous stone walls that towered even higher. Massive and solid. Unconquerable... except for God.
Our obedience in spite of our lack of understanding is the clear evidence of our faith in a sovereign God.
God’s strategy for Joshua and his men was a seemingly foolish plan. God simply told Joshua to have his people march silently around Jericho for six days, and after seven trips around the city on the seventh day, to shout loudly. Although it seemed crazy, Joshua followed God’s instruction to the letter. When the people finally shouted, the walls came crumbling down and Israel won an easy victory (Joshua 6:20–21).
This passage of scripture provides some important lessons for us and our children:

Obedience Brings Blessing

First, obedience to God’s Word—even when it doesn’t make sense—brings victory and blessings. Our obedience to God is vital if we want to leave a legacy of blessing for our children. Also, Ephesians 6:1–3 tells us a child’s obedience to their parents brings a full, rich life: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Teaching our children to obey, even though the child may not understand the “why,” prepares them to obey their heavenly Father without questioning or wavering in their faith.

Trust God’s Character

Another key lesson from Joshua 6 is that there is a vast difference between God’s ways and our ways. We don’t always understand what God is doing in our lives, but if we have faith that God is who He says He is, and will do what He says He will do, we can walk in confidence and rest in His promises. There is a real peace in trusting and resting, even if we can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Our obedience in spite of our lack of understanding is the clear evidence of our faith in a sovereign God. He is still God, and the light is still there!

God Wants To Free Us

Lastly, there are no walls that God cannot break down. Whether they were built by our own hands or others’ hands, God can break down the walls of mistrust, discouragement, isolation, defeat, and sin. He wants to free us from whatever is keeping us from accessing His love and power to live in His promises and freedom. Let Him break down the walls in your life!

“Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.”—Hebrews 5:8–9

 

Jan Lashbrook is the Early Childhood Program  Director at Calvary Christian Academy. She and her husband are “empty-nesters,” having raised three children who are all grown and married. Their youngest attended CCA for 12 years, graduating in 2016.
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