Step by Step

Joshua 6:1-20

When we are baby’s we have no other instinct but to trust in our parents or people around us. We trust them not to do us any harm. We trust them to guide us step by step, one step at a time. As we learn to walk as babies we do that by holding onto someones hands or something that is within arms reach and start walking, trusting that it will not move or let go of your hand.

But as we get older we start to become less independent on that person or thing and start becoming dependent on ourselves and trusting ourselves in the walking we have now come to master. Our belief is now in ourselves.

How may of you know we still think that way when in this walk for the Lord. But when it comes down to it, when we come to trust in the Lord it is still step by step holding onto his Word.

In the book of Joshua their is a process of steps that he had to take to overcome the land of Jericho and have faith in the God of Moses that He will give them the promise and victory over those in the land of Jericho.

Let me give you a brief background to bring us up to speed on what happened in Jericho. Joshua sent two spies out to see about the land and what was ahead of them to possess. When the spies arrived they were protected by God, for if they were to get caught they would be killed. They would hide out a Rahab’s house the woman of the town yet she knew who Jesus was and asked for protection over her family if she hid them from the guards. The promise was that she and her family would be saved from death when God gives over the land to them.

As we move on through the word we start to see the steps for Joshua to take with the Israelite come into play. The crossing of the Jordan and the 12 stones representing each tribe showed that God was with Joshua just as he was with Moses and exalted him before the people for he feared the Lord. But God was also setting up a testimony for the people to tell the younger generation how God was still with them, just as before with Moses.

Sometimes God has to do the unbelievable in our lives in order to get our attention of His greatness and to know that it is He that we should fear. That it is his glory and at His hand that the work is done and not our itself.

Joshua always had steps to follow that were given by the Lord. He did not take short cuts, nor did he leave any steps out. This is where we as people of god mess things up.We want to think it is us that made things happen, but when in fact we get out of order it is God’s grace that brings us through. We must learn to adhere to God’s instructions knowing that he will bring us out with victory and that God will exalt you in due time if you just take the steps. If his is done then the people will know that you fear the Lord and He will exalt you when the time and season is right. Remember the Word tells us that to whom much is give much is required. So we must follow his steps to make sure we are prepared in head and heart to be elevated by him.

Now we are going to advance to chapter 6 of Joshua. This is the story that we all know and leaned about as kids growing up in church and in school in music class. Here we read about the battle of Jericho. Let’s go through the scripture and see what God is telling us here today.

Instructions given from God

Joshua 6:1–5 NRSV

Now Jericho was shut up inside and out because of the Israelites; no one came out and no one went in. The Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have handed Jericho over to you, along with its king and soldiers. You shall march around the city, all the warriors circling the city once. Thus you shall do for six days, with seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, the priests blowing the trumpets. When they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, as soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and all the people shall charge straight ahead.”

In our daily walk God gives us instructions to follow to sow people that we are his children. He tells us what to read so that when struggles come up, the glory of God will shine through.

Joshua 6:6–7 NRSV

So Joshua son of Nun summoned the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant, and have seven priests carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark of the Lord.” To the people he said, “Go forward and march around the city; have the armed men pass on before the ark of the Lord.”

Here Joshua followed the instructions of the Lord. He did not short cut it, or take matters into his own hand because he felt his way may be better and faster. Think about it. How many of you would follow those instructions for 7 days? Doing the same thing day in and day out waiting for results. Would you believe and encourage the others to believe also to possess the land or will you be the one to abort the vision and risk the lives of all who are following you?

Joshua 6:8–20 NRSV

As Joshua had commanded the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the Lord went forward, blowing the trumpets, with the ark of the covenant of the Lord following them. And the armed men went before the priests who blew the trumpets; the rear guard came after the ark, while the trumpets blew continually. To the people Joshua gave this command: “You shall not shout or let your voice be heard, nor shall you utter a word, until the day I tell you to shout. Then you shall shout.” So the ark of the Lord went around the city, circling it once; and they came into the camp, and spent the night in the camp. Then Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord. The seven priests carrying the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord passed on, blowing the trumpets continually. The armed men went before them, and the rear guard came after the ark of the Lord, while the trumpets blew continually. On the second day they marched around the city once and then returned to the camp. They did this for six days. On the seventh day they rose early, at dawn, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times. And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city. The city and all that is in it shall be devoted to the Lord for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live because she hid the messengers we sent. As for you, keep away from the things devoted to destruction, so as not to covet and take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel an object for destruction, bringing trouble upon it. But all silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are sacred to the Lord; they shall go into the treasury of the Lord.” So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpets, they raised a great shout, and the wall fell down flat; so the people charged straight ahead into the city and captured it.

When we follow the instructions of the Lord, when we follow the instructions of the leader rather it be the preacher, teacher, exhalters and other leaders of the church. When we follow instructions we will possess what God has promised. It is important that we heed to the instructions of the Lord. Doing things your own way will result in your own outcome. God does not elevate selfish people who want the glory for themselves. God elevates those who reverence God and can follow the word of God. God wants to see if you are going to give him the glory. He gives you the steps for a reason and it’s not for your glory, but it is for God’s glory.

Follow the steps God has given you. Do not take short cuts, do not leave any steps out. Follow God, follow the leader and step by step you will possess all God has for you and remember to give him the glory for it all because after all it was all God and none of you that has you where you are and where you are going in your future.

1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV 1900

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

The Word of God, thanks be to our God.