“What NOW!” you cry burying your face in your arms. “Everything is going wrong!”
Have you ever had those days, or weeks, when everything seems to be going wrong? Every day brings a new problem. You turn on the washing machine and the next thing you know, “Ahhh!” There is water pouring out all over your floor! You budget everything to the penny, pay all your bills and then the mail arrives. “Groan!” You receive an unexpected bill! You hear your poor cat hacking, but before you can reach her, she throws up all over the new carpet. You just can’t seem to catch a break! Every day feels like a battle!
What do we do when those battles come?
FIGHT UNCONVENTIONALLY!
In Joshua 6:1-21, Joshua did the unconventional when he battled Jericho. When Joshua went to battle, he did not go with swords and attack the city as the world would do, instead He followed the Lord’s directions. The Lord directed him to march around the city with the men of war, the 7 priests and the ark of the Lord for 7 days.
Did you catch who was with Joshua?
Men of war! These guys were not used to waiting around and marching for one day much less seven! Don’t you know that they were chomping at the bit to draw their swords and attack? On top of that, the Lord told them to be silent. The only sound was to be the blowing of the trumpets. Wow! That must have been a struggle.
I can just imagine these men of war silently grumbling on day one. If they had spoken, wouldn’t their grumbling have spread doubt and discontent among the army? Perhaps their silence built their faith as they heard the 7 priests continually blowing 7 trumpets. The sounds would have kept their focus on the Lord and His promise of victory over Jericho.
THEN ON DAY 7
THIS HAPPENED!
So, the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets.
And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet,
and the people shouted with a great shout,
that the wall fell down flat.
Then the people went up into the city,
every man straight before him, and they took the city,
Joshua 6:20
BATTLE WON!
The Lord’s unconventional plan, won the battle over Jericho! Although the Lord’s strategy for contending with our battles may be unconventional to the world, I don’t think He expects us to march around our leaking washing machines. So, how does the Lord want us to fight?
HOW TO FIGHT OUR BATTLES!
1. LOOK UP!
When we look up to our loving Lord seeking His answers, He will give us a battle plan. Because His plan is always perfect, ideally, we should seek His answers first.
But seek first the kingdom of God
and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added to you,
Matthew 6:33
2. WAIT WITH GRATITUDE!
Even if we don’t understand the Lord’s plan, rather than grumbling and complaining, we can be thankful that He is working. That may mean like the Israelites at Jericho, we keep silent while we wait for the completion of His plan. We may not hear resounding trumpets while we wait, but listening to praise music is a great substitute. It will help us to keep our eyes on our loving Lord with gratitude and hope.
Who knows? Maybe our attitude of thanks will allow others to see Jesus in us. Besides, doesn’t God use all things for good, (Romans 8:28)? What have we got to lose, except a little grumbling?
In everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you,
1 Thessalonians 5:18
3. HAVE FAITH
Whether our battles last 7 days, 7 weeks or 7 years, we can have faith that the Lord has the best plan. Sometimes His plan is to immediately overcome our battles. Sometimes His plan is to carry us through them. Either way, the Lord will show us His perfect, but maybe unconventional, plan through which He will be glorified.
He is the Rock, His work is perfect;
For all His ways are justice,
A God of truth and without injustice;
Righteous and upright is He,
Deuteronomy 32:4
When we think the Lord has given us His plan it is always wise to get confirmation from wise counsel, (Proverbs 11:14). As we are confronted with the battles of this world, let’s not just look for the logical, conventional way.
LET’S LOOK TO GOD
TRUSTING IN HIS DIRECTION
HOWEVER UNCONVENTIONAL IT MAY BE
REFLECTION
Is there a battle you can give to the Lord?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write Matthew 6:33 and say it aloud, help me to look to You and follow Your plan in faith and thanksgiving. Even if it is unconventional. In Jesus name. Amen.
IN FAITH, FOLLOW THE LORD’S PLAN
May your day be filled with love and laughter,
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*For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/FOOTNOTES
Photo cat only, Daga Roszkowska
Photo ruins, Alice 12
Photo signs, Pete Linforth
