Joshua 6:15-17
On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, "Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent.
When you read this scripture passage, have you thought about why the walls would only fall after the people shouted? Was it really necessary for them to shout, and did they have circle around the city for seven days? If God is omnipotent, why couldn't they just circle around it once? Was it really necessary to circle around the city? If God is omnipotent, why wouldn't the walls fall down automatically? The answer is: Yes, it was necessary for them to shout out, and it was critical because it represented our faith and hope.
A person who didn't want to shout out wouldn't be someone who has more faith, but actually someone who has less faith, because he doesn't really believe that shouting actually matters, for he didn't think that God will work in such ways. If you truly believe that shouting out will crush the work of the enemy, you will shout out loud. When Peter was pleading for help from Jesus in the sea, He cried out for help: "Lord, save me," then the Lord saved him. When King Josefa fought with the enemy and was attacked by them, as long as he shouted Jehovah would help him. It is apparent that shouting is an important discipline in our faith life.
Psalm 47:5 says that "God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets." Isaiah 6:3 says that Isaiah saw the Lord sitting on the throne, and the seraphims were calling to one another "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory" while the Lord sat on the throne and manifested His authority. Revelations 14:2 says "
And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps." So, we must first learn to shout praises and adoration to God while we worship and pray, because that's how God wants us to worship and pray.
Next, the principle of God's work is to have people work together with Him in action. If the Israelites didn't shout, the walls wouldn't have collapsed, because God will not accomplish anything for those who do not believe. Brothers and sisters, the real problem is whether we are willing to put aside our rationality, put down our esteem, and simply obey God? We often like to ask why, but God's reply is often very simple: "my child, don't ask why, just trust me!" Are you willing to obey the Lord starting from the smallest thing in life?
Pray with Pastor Tong
Lord, please forgive our lack of faith; give us an obedient heart so that we may praise you loudly and lift you high in our daily life. I believe that when we shout your name, you will save us. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!
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