One lesson the Bible teaches is the importance of obedience. From the beginning of creation to the great commission given to the disciples, obedience is what played the major role. Adam was kept in the garden governed by rules, Noah, Moses, Joshua, Abraham, down to our generation are lines of do and don't, and each has a reward promised upon them. Rules are not meant to be easy, they come with inconveniences that threaten our comfort and freedom, but in them are rewards and consequences. Where obedience is required, sacrifice does not make an impact and that's what leads me to discuss the walls of Jericho and the principles of obedience.
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It was one of the stories in the Bible where obedience was practiced in a state of inconvenience and doubt. But it wasn't just the obedience, they first trusted in God's word for the obedience to take effect. Joshua 6 carries the entire details of Jericho's fall and God's instructions to Joshua. Jericho at that time had tall walls, and strong gates. They had one of the toughest defenses when it came to security. People who had spied on the men feared the giants who guarded the gates and roamed the streets of Jericho except for Joshua and Caleb who, though they saw how they were built, trusted in God's sovereignty.
The instructions that God gave them weren't convenient ones that most of us expect, going round the city walls once a day and then seven times on the seventh day wasn't convenient. Not shouting or saying a word while they walked around wasn't comfortable, but yet they stood by it in pain and discomfort. Obedience doesn't come with comfort. I've come to realize whatever is convenient doesn't give us room to grow. Just like the walls of Jericho do our challenges stand, they don't bow to our uproars and swords, they don't dread our swordsmanship , the language they understand is obedience, obedience to what God has said. People who obeyed God's instructions lived with less challenges compared to people who trusted in their wisdom and strength. The walls before us are tall, tough, strong , and made of stones and brass, but it takes only obedience to bring them down. What is God saying to you? Have you had time to listen to him speak? It's not by might , nor by power , but by obedience to God's instructions. Trust and obey, there's no other way.
