Read Joshua 6:1-20

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“By faith the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down” (Hebrews 11:30 NLT)

As many of you know, I am a life-long Bon Jovi fan. Their music has been a soundtrack to many moments in my life, providing inspiration and encouragement through the years. Recently, Bon Jovi released a new album, Forever, featuring the song “Walls of Jericho.” This song, with its powerful lyrics and driving melody, speaks to the resilience and determination needed to overcome life’s challenges. The metaphor of the walls of Jericho represents the barriers and obstacles that stand in our way, much like the literal walls that stood before the Israelites in the biblical story of Jericho.

The story of Jericho, found in Joshua 6, is a powerful testament to faith and obedience. The Israelites, led by Joshua, were faced with the daunting task of conquering the fortified city of Jericho. The walls of Jericho were not just physical barriers; they symbolized the seemingly insurmountable challenges that the Israelites had to overcome to enter the Promised Land.

God’s instructions to Joshua were unconventional. Instead of a direct assault, the Israelites were to march around the city once a day for six days, with the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant and blowing trumpets. On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times, and then, at Joshua’s command, the people were to shout. It was then that the walls of Jericho would collapse, allowing the Israelites to take the city.

This story is a profound lesson in faith and perseverance. The Israelites had to trust in God’s plan, even when it didn’t make sense from a human perspective. Their obedience and faith were rewarded when the walls of Jericho fell, just as God had promised.

In our own lives, we often face walls of Jericho—obstacles that seem insurmountable, challenges that test our faith and resilience. These walls can take many forms: personal struggles, professional setbacks, health issues, or relational conflicts. Like the Israelites, we are called to trust in God’s plan and to persevere in faith, even when the path forward is unclear.

Bon Jovi’s “Walls of Jericho” reminds us that resilience is key to overcoming these challenges. The song’s lyrics encourage us to keep pushing forward, to keep believing, and to keep fighting, even when the odds are against us. This resilience is rooted in faith—faith that God is with us, that God has a plan for us, and that God will help us overcome the obstacles in our path.

The practical application of this story and song is clear: when faced with our own walls of Jericho, we must remember to trust in God’s timing and God’s methods. We may not always understand God’s ways, but we can be confident that God is working for our good. Our role is to remain faithful, to keep marching, and to believe that, in God’s perfect timing, the walls will come down.

Consider the times in your life when you have faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Reflect on how your faith and resilience helped you navigate those challenges. Perhaps you are currently facing a wall of Jericho in your life. Remember that, just as the Israelites trusted in God’s plan and saw the walls fall, you too can trust in God’s plan for your life.

God’s methods may not always align with our expectations, but they are always perfect. The story of Jericho teaches us that victory comes through faith and obedience. It is a reminder that God’s power is greater than any obstacle we face. When we trust in God and follow God’s guidance, we can overcome even the most formidable barriers.

As we reflect on the story of Jericho and the message of Bon Jovi’s song, let us be encouraged to face our challenges with faith and resilience. Let us remember that, just as the walls of Jericho fell by the power of God, so too can the walls in our own lives be overcome by God’s strength and grace.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Trust in God’s plan and persevere in faith, for God will help you overcome the walls in your life.

PRAYER
Lord, help me to trust in Your plan and to persevere in faith, knowing that You will help me overcome the obstacles I face. Amen.

Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.