This week HUMP DAY CHALLENGE is brought to you by Pastor Denise B. Carpenter as seen on her blog
#JUSTFOLLOWTHEINSTRUCTIONS
Last Sunday I preached a message that is entitled the same as this week’s blog. The sermon had been “brewing” in my mind and spirit for over a month and the more I thought about it the more driven I was to preach it! The scripture text was quite familiar and is found in Joshua 6, where the story is told about Joshua, the Israelites and the destruction of the Jericho walls. You may know the old song “Joshua Fit The Battle of Jericho”. Ironically, the truth of the matter is, he really didn’t! Read on, I’ll explain later.
It will not be possible for me to recapitulate my entire sermon in this blog, but I do want to share some of the highlights of it with you and also some points that time didn’t allow me to reveal during the delivery of the sermon. In the early stages of my message preparation (having already determined the title), I began to think about how our lives are full of instructions that we must follow. In many cases we have no choice but to do it exactly as the instructions say if we want a favorable outcome. Some of those things that require strict adherence to instructions are job or college applications; manuals and guides for putting together furniture, toys, and other things that come unassembled; online banking / financial account services, etc. All of above are examples of areas we face throughout our lives that mandate us to follow instructions exactly as they are given. Yet, when it comes to our relationship with our heavenly Father; holy living; things that we want and are praying for; and even directions to prepare us for how and where we will spend eternity we find ourselves making excuses and blatantly doing things OUR WAY! Recently I was in a department store and there was clear signage as to where the line was to form while waiting to check out and purchase your merchandise. It was made plain that the next person(s) in line was to wait at least 12 feet away from the individual who was being served. The line that was not to be crossed until your turn came was clearly marked. The gentleman in front of me chose not to observe the signage and decided to proceed to the counter. The cashier immediately pointed to where he was to wait until called. Well he decided to back up a bit, but not to the marked line. This time the cashier was very stern in her instruction that he was to stand behind the marked line! This incident came back to my mind as I was preparing for this message. For whatever the reason, at times we feel that certain guidelines do not apply to us. But when God took me to the story that unfolds in Joshua 6 He made it clear that if you want to see great results in your life and witness His promises to you revealed, you just have to follow instructions . . . His instructions that is!!!!
The Israelite army was preparing to overtake the city of Jericho. God gave Joshua specific instructions for them to march around the city once each day silently for six straight days. Each day they were to circle the city and then return back to camp.
This was to be repeated once a day for 6 days. Then on the 7th day they were to march around the city 7 times and on the 7th time around upon Joshua's command the trumpets were to sound and the people were to SHOUT! Now I know this not only looked crazy to the army in Jericho, but truth be told the Israelites probably felt pretty crazy . . . at first! BUT, this time it was their CRAZINESS that CONFUSED the enemy!
You see if we trust God, follow His instructions, and anticipate the victory miracles will happen! But as the old folks used to say sometimes, “you’re just too smart for your own good”. One thing is for sure, we can never outsmart God, and His plan always works best. I could go on a lot further because God really showed me some things I had not seen previously in this story but I do realize this is a blog and not a book (smile).
However, I want to leave you with some thought provoking observations. It is my belief that we often do not follow instructions because of the following:
- We feel we already know how
- We feel it’s not necessary
- We feel we can beat the odds (wow . . . that one is HUGE if you think about it)
- Last but certainly not least, that old demon of FEAR.
- a) Fear that we didn’t really hear God
- b) Fear of looking crazy or foolish to others
- c) Fear that the outcome may not really be what WE want.
Well in closing, I have to direct you to the conclusion of the Israelites obedience to God’s instructions. At the conclusion of marching around the city of Jericho that 7th time (and the shout that rang out), the walls of the city came tumbling down and everyone and everything in the city was destroyed except for one family that earlier had come to the aid of Joshua and his men; and the silver, gold, bronze, and iron was put into the treasury of the house of the Lord. So you see there wasn’t any fight, the battle was already fixed. All that God required of them was . . . “JUST FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS”.
