When We Listen to God, He Does Great Things
I recently read Joshua 6 about how God delivered Jericho to the Israelites. I have loved this story since Sunday School. Something about it has always resonated with me. As a child, I could imagine the loud trumpet blasts and the Israelites shouting a war cry while the walls fell, filling me with awe and wonder.
As a young woman, despite walking away from God and my faith, I still saw miracles in my life and the lives of others. I was angry and emotionally drained during these years, but God still protected me. I decided to be blind, but God encouraged others to pray that my eyes and heart would be lifted to God again. I know now, without a doubt, that He was always with me and acting in powerful ways to love me.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now, as a woman of faith, I am able to recognize God’s voice and see Him work. I know that God works in all things - the big and small, the mundane and extraordinary. He continues to break down walls between myself and others. He provides victories in me, for me, and through me. There really is nothing God can not do!
Yet, it wasn’t until recently that I saw another truth about God when reading the history of the walls falling in Jericho. Although I know His timing is always perfect, I needed reminding about what it looks like to trust Him in every step of life.
When we seek God’s will and desire to see His power in our lives, we must first listen to God and know His voice.
In Joshua 6:1-4, God speaks to the Israelites, through Joshua, instructing them to march around the city once for six days, with trumpets made from ram’s horns and armed men carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord. Yet, the seventh day is different; they are to march around the city seven times, make a big shout, and God will give them Jericho.
Joshua 6:5, when Joshua is telling the Israelites what God said, he says, “When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”
Joshua knew God's voice and could confidentially tell the Israelites what God said. This amazes me, both because Joshua listened to God and because God entrusted His words to him. This verse also made me think of and be grateful for the people in my life who have listened to God, prayed for me, and spoken sometimes hard-to-hear truths into my life.
But this wasn't the only thing Joshua told the Israelites about God’s plan. Joshua gives them instructions, but then he tells them to wait.
“But Joshua had commanded the army, “Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!”
Joshua 6:10
He tells them to wait and not say a word. Can you imagine the excitement the Israelites felt? Staring at the walls of Jericho and trusting that God would deliver Jericho to them? Hearing the trumpets sound and feeling excited without being able to express it?
Yet, in Joshua 6:20, we see the results of listening to God and adhering to His voice, commands, and instructions.
“When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city.”
Joshua 6:20
With eager anticipation, the Israelites listened as the trumpets sounded and shouted with a strength of faith that could only come from God and an outpouring of gratitude. This shout, this was full of joy and praise!
This moment, right here, was the culmination of listening to God through the voice of Joshua and trusting Him. This moment, right here, was when faith met God’s promise!
Think about it
Is there someone in your life that helps you hear the voice of God?
Have you listened to the voice of God yourself and relayed God’s love and faithfulness to others?
Have you trusted God to wait?
Have you shouted as loud and praised God for His providence and provision?
What walls have you seen come down?
Pray About IT
Dear Heavenly Father,
Sometimes, all I can do is say “wow” when you work. My heart is shouting in joy, and my mind is trying to think of all the words that escape me in the light of your love and power. Thank you, Lord, for the faithful people in my life who pray for me. You were, are, and will always be fighting battles for me that I will never see. Thank you, Lord, for breaking down walls. But more than all this, thank you for You. You are the great “I AM,” and your presence is all I need.
Amen
About the Author: Andrea lives in Atlanta with her husband, John and their dog, Maya. She is currently attending Calvary Chapel University to get her degree in Biblical Studies with a minor in Women's Ministry. Andrea knows that Scripture has power and that God can do mighty things, as she has seen numerous times in her life. She prays that God wil use her writings in a way that changes lives and brings Him all the glory.