Trusting When Things Don’t Make Sense
When Facing Life's Jerichos
Have you ever felt like there's an enormous wall standing in your way? A barrier that seems too high to climb or too thick to break through? Perhaps it’s a strained relationship, a financial crisis, or a health challenge that feels insurmountable. Like the people of Israel facing the fortified city of Jericho, we often find ourselves confronted by situations that defy our understanding and capacity.
The Walls We Face
In Joshua 6, God’s people are at a critical juncture—standing outside the gates of Jericho, a city with massive walls designed to keep them out. They know what lies beyond those walls: the promised land, but all they can see are obstacles.
Many of us experience similar frustrations in our own lives. When we confront impossible situations, our immediate response may be panic, doubt, or frustration. We push harder, sometimes using our own logic or reason, seeking solutions, or worse, trying to force our way through challenges. The truth is, life’s challenges can feel like walls, and we often wonder if God is listening or if He even cares.
Trusting God When It Doesn’t Make Sense
God provided a unique strategy for the Israelites to overcome their wall: marching around Jericho while remaining silent. This wasn’t just a physical act; it was God asking for faith without visible evidence of success.
In Joshua 6:2-5, God told Joshua, "See, I have given Jericho into your hand... You shall march around the city..." God commanded them to move with a sense of assured victory even before they had taken any action. This raises a profound point: Faith is often the bridge between the promise and the reality. Our faith may not align with what we can see, and it usually stretches us beyond our comfort zones. How often have you been in a situation where following God felt illogical? Maybe you’re called to forgive someone who has hurt you deeply or to take a step of faith in your career, even when logic suggests you should play it safe.
The Power of Obedience
When the Israelites obeyed God’s command to march around the city for six days without saying a word, they demonstrated their trust in Him. This involved both a mental and a physical response. God was preparing them for what was to come, much like how a coach prepares an athlete for a big game through strategic practice. Consider this: during their silence and obedience, they were learning patience and reliance on God’s power, not their own. As we read in Hebrews 11:30, it was by faith that the walls of Jericho fell; it was God’s power, not their strength, that brought victory. We must remember that sometimes our silent obedience is what leads to breakthrough.
Watching God Work
After six days of marching, the seventh day arrived. The Israelites circled Jericho seven times, culminating in a shout—the walls collapsed! When we take steps in faith and obedience, we start to witness God’s work unfold in our lives.
This can be reflected in our finances when we give generously, even when it feels impossible to do so. It can happen in our relationships when we choose to love and forgive, expecting joy and connection in return. Often, we have to wait before we see the fruits of our trust. Imagine waiting for a long-awaited package; during that anxious time, you might doubt if it will actually arrive. But when it finally does, the realization that you were right to trust brings joy. In Isaiah 40:31, we’re reminded, "They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength."
Real-Life Application
Let's put these principles into real-life scenarios:
- Strained Relationships: Maybe you feel a wall between you and a loved one. Consider taking a step of obedience—reach out with a heart of forgiveness and openness, even if everything within you resists. Trust that God can mend what feels broken.
- Health Issues: If you’re battling a significant health challenge, it may feel like there’s no way forward. Share your struggles with trusted friends who can pray for you. They may act as your ‘marching companions’ who encourage you to keep believing in God’s healing power.
- Financial Struggles: If your finances are causing stress, perhaps the wall feels unmovable. Consider practicing generosity in small ways, as it builds trust and dependence on God rather than solely on your own abilities.
Each of these examples reminds us that while we often cannot see the way forward, God invites us to trust Him and obey His leading. As we do, we are not only changed, but we often start to witness His transformative power at work.
Finding Hope in the Unseen
Remember, you’re not alone in facing the walls of Jericho in your life. God is ever-present, promising that, just as He delivered His people, He can intervene in our lives in ways we can’t always foresee. If life has you feeling stuck, uncertain, or overwhelmed, take a deep breath and remember to trust in Him.
Could it be that your next step is simply to yield to God, trusting Him to handle what you can't? We invite you to explore how trusting God can bring about hope. Let's come together as a church family, supporting one another as we march around our own Jerichos.