Joshua 6:20 When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city.

When the people were obedient to God, even when the directions sounded a bit absurd, God moved in a remarkable way. One of the strangest things about mankind is that we tend to think we know better than God. That is of course completely not true, and it gets us into a lot of trouble. The Bible is full of examples in both directions on this issue. King Saul lost his kingship, eventually, over the simple matter of failing to be obedient, having rationalized his own behavior. Peter, on the other hand, was obedient when Jesus told him to let the net down yet again, when he had been trying all night and had gotten nothing. He not only netted a huge catch of fish, he committed his whole life to Jesus. (Luke 5:1-11) Insanity has been defined as doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, but when that repetition is in obedience to God, the results can indeed be very different. Marching around the city, as the Lord told Joshua, would be seen as a show of force and nothing more. On top of that, after doing it so many times, I’m sure the Israelites were a bit tired of it. However, the last time, God acted as He had said, in a way that defied human expectation. We need to remember that it is God’s power that accomplishes things, and not our own, and so be faithful in our obedience no matter how silly it might seem.

Sometimes I am reminded of that definition of insanity when I am yet again sharing the Gospel with someone, either for the first time or for the nth time. I’ve got to remember that I could never save anyone in the first place, but that God will use my words and my life to save others if I will be yielded and obedient to Him. I do need to keep growing, and not be repetitious simply from inertia. I must be willing to change, to do something different, but whether I’m doing something for the first time or the nth time, I must be careful that I am doing it in obedience to God. There have been a number of changes in this church, even over the past year, and I am aware that God is shaping, growing, and guiding us. I’m not to try to guess ahead as to what He will do, but I am to hold myself in readiness. The Israelites were ready when the walls collapsed, so they were able to take the city. If they hadn’t been ready, many in Jericho would have escaped. I’ve got to be ready for when God brings in the harvest that He has been indicating for some time, and I need to prepare the believers as well.

Father, thank You for Your plans. I ask You to show me as much as I need to know of my part in them, and I ask You to enable me to fulfill whatever role You have for me. Help me not be afraid to look foolish, but rather obey You in every detail, so that all of Your plans may be fulfilled on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!