Originally delivered at New Hope Community Church on July 6, 2024.

Jericho

Jericho wasn't just any city. It was a fortress.

Here’s what it looks like today.

But Archaeological evidence shows it had a double wall system.

The outer wall was about 6 feet thick and 20 feet high. Behind that was a 12-15 foot high embankment with another wall on top, reaching as high as 46 feet total.

This was a city built to withstand any attack. From a military standpoint, it seemed impenetrable.

Now, I want you to picture this with me. Here's Joshua, standing at the edge of the Promised Land, staring at the fortified city of Jericho. The walls are so high they might as well touch the sky. The gates are sealed tight. It's a fortress that screams, "Don't even try it!"

But here's the kicker - God had already told Joshua, if you’ll read with me in Joshua 6:1-2:

“Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. 2 And the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor.”
- Joshua 6:1-2 (ESV)

Now notice that phrase, “I have given Jericho into your hand” - past tense.

“Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. 2 And the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor.”
- Joshua 6:1-2 (ESV, emphasis added)

Done deal. God's saying, "Joshua, my man, this city is already yours. You just need to go get it." Sound familiar? How many times has God promised us victory, but we're too busy staring at the walls to believe it? When we're faced with obstacles this big, it's like standing at the base of a skyscraper - we can't see over it, we can't see around it. All we can see is the enormous problem in front of us. But God sees the whole picture, and today we're going to dig into this story and uncover five powerful lessons about having a faith that conquers.

1. Faith Trusts God's Plan, Not Our Own

The first lesson to note is this: “Faith Trusts God’s Plan, Not Our Own.” Now, if you were Joshua, what would your battle plan look like? Battering rams? Siege towers? A good old-fashioned assault? Maybe you’d call for the best military strategists, gather intelligence on Jericho’s weak points, or try to negotiate a surrender.

But God's plan?

“Go out there and walk around it.”

“What?”

“Yep – march. Around it. Once a day. For the next six days.”

“What?”

“But on the seventh day, you’re going to march around it seven times.”

“What?”

“Hang on I’m not finished –

Then you’re going to blow trumpets and shout…That’s it. Go ahead. Go tell your soldiers. Bye bye!”

No intricate strategies, no siege engines, no traditional warfare tactics at all. No, God’s plan must have seemed insane when compared to what we would have done. I can just imagine Joshua telling his soldiers:

 “3 You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. 4 Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5 And when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.”
- Joshua 6:2-5 (ESV)

Can you imagine the looks on the soldiers' faces when Joshua laid out this plan? They must have thought he'd lost his marbles! Which if someone ever tells you you’ve lost your marbles, just take it as a compliment because that means that at least they thought you had marbles to begin with. But I can almost hear the whispers in the camp.

“Has Joshua gone insane? We’re going to be a laughingstock! We’re going to walk around the city for a week and then shout. Okay.”

But here's the thing - faith isn't about understanding every detail of God's plan. It's about trusting that His plan is better than ours. But that's exactly what faith does - it trusts God even when His methods seem unconventional, or even when it challenges our expectations.

You know, I'm reminded of a time after leaving the software development company I was working at. It was 2017. Cassy was working as a pharmacy technician at Walgreens and we were living in Lubbock, Texas. I had started doing freelance graphic design, photography, videography, motion graphics, and stuff like that. But all the while I felt like I needed to be in the church. So – while my wife worked every day – I stayed home, and started work on building a portfolio. Project after project, bumper videos, branding, series graphics, video/photo projects – all for no real client. Each project bringing in a grand total of exactly $0. I didn’t knock it out overnight either, it took some time. I didn’t necessarily even have a specific goal in mind – just this thought that I couldn’t get out of my head of “I need to make a portfolio that I can show to churches.”

Were there any churches hiring graphic designers at the time?

No idea.

Yet my wife worked, and I continued to make graphics for no one.

When I tell y’all that she has the patience of a saint – I mean it. I don’t know how she did it.

But then the day came. For some reason I just felt like it was time to look around to see if there were any churches that were hiring graphic designers. So there was I was – on ChurchStaffing.com – my first time on the website.

“Graphic Designer”

Nothing.

But I do see a listing on there for “Communications Director.” I thought “Director” sounded like something I would like in my title so I clicked on the link and read the listing. It was basically a listing for a church looking for exactly what I was praying for. New Hope Community Church. So I sent in my resume, a week later had an interview, had a second interview, flew out, and here we are – all of you stuck listening to me.

But the point is this – would I have chosen to do a ton of work for free just because?

Nope.

The truth is, God's ways are better than our ways (Isaiah 55:9). His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We see a snippet, a mere fraction of the big picture, but God sees it all – past, present, and future. And when we try to force our plans into God's mold, we often end up like this:

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Frustrated and disappointed. We’re like children trying to solve complex equations – we just don’t have all the information or capacity to understand it all. Or a toddler trying to jam a straw into a coffee cup. But when we surrender our plans to Him and trust His wisdom, that's when we see miracles happen. That’s when the impossible becomes possible. Think about it – if Joshua and the Israelites had tried to conquer Jericho their way, they might have been fighting for months – maybe even years. They would have lost countless lives, expended enormous resources, and at the end of the day – possibly even failed. So let me ask you: What's your Jericho right now? What “impossible” situation are you facing? Maybe it’s a health crisis that seems hopeless. Perhaps it’s a financial mountain that looks too high to climb. It could be a relationship that seems irreparably broken. Are you trying to knock down those walls with your own strength, your own wisdom, your own resources? Whatever it is, remember that God’s plans often don’t make sense to us at first. Maybe God is telling you to forgive when you want to hold onto bitterness, or He’s calling you to give generously when your instinct is to hoard. He might be asking you to speak up when you’d rather stay quiet.

In fact, our struggles might be part of His sovereign plan for us. The Apostle Paul, who faced numerous hardships, wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9,

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'"
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)

Because sometimes, God's plan involves refining us through difficulties rather than removing them. But our job is to trust Him, knowing that whether He chooses to deliver us from our trials or through them, His purpose is always for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose - and for His glory. And in this, His track record is perfect. He's never failed. Ever. And He’s not about to start with you. Remember Proverbs 3:5-6:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
- Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

An invitation to radical trust. It’s not just believing in God’s existence, but believing in His goodness, His wisdom, and His perfect plan for your life. It’s about acknowledging and trusting Him in every area of your life – your relationships, your career, your finances, your dreams – and trusting that He knows best, even when his directions may seem counterintuitive. So today – surrender your Jericho to God. Stop plowing headfirst into the wall over and over, relying on your own finite strength, your own finite wisdom, your own finite resources, and instead – just ask God, “What’s Your plan? How do You want me to approach this?” And then, like Joshua, have the courage to obey, even if it doesn’t make sense – because when we trust God’s plan over our own, that’s when we see walls tumbling down.

2. Faith is Demonstrated Through Obedience

But this is the point where the rubber meets the road. And this is our second lesson, is this: “Faith is Demonstrated Through Obedience.” Because it's one thing to say we trust God's plan. It's another thing entirely to actually follow through with it. But that's exactly what Joshua and the Israelites did. Read with me in vv. 6-8:

“So Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the Lord.” And he said to the people, “Go forward. March around the city and let the armed men pass on before the ark of the Lord.”

And just as Joshua had commanded the people, the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the Lord went forward, blowing the trumpets, with the ark of the covenant of the Lord following them.”
- Joshua 6:6-8 (ESV)

They didn’t just nod their heads at Joshua and say, “Sure, Joshua – great plan. No really good. I think it’s going to be great. (Maybe if we don’t move he’ll forget we’re here and leave us alone).” No, they followed God’s instruction to the letter. Every. Single. Day. For seven days straight.

Never doubt in the dark what God has spoken in the light.

Because, you see, faith isn't just a feeling. It's not just saying, "Yeah, I believe in God." It’s not a warm, fuzzy emotion or a philosophical concept. James tells us that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). In other words, true faith leads to action. If you believe in the God of the Bible – if you believe in God, then it changes you. It changes the way you live.

Think about it this way: When you’re sick, do you call up your doctor, get an appointment, go see him, get diagnosed, and he sends a prescription off to the pharmacy for you to pick up – you’re leaving the office and say “He’s a great guy – really awesome. I trust him a lot.” And then on the way home just drive right by the pharmacy and go on home, never taking the medicine? If you never take the medicine he prescribes – did you really trust him?

No!

You might respect his opinion, you might think he’s very knowledgeable, but if you don’t take the prescription, you don’t really trust him. In the same way, if we say we trust God, but we don’t obey His instructions, we’re kidding ourselves. We’re living in a state of cognitive dissonance, where our beliefs and our actions are saying two different things.

OBEDIENCE OFTEN DOESN’T MAKE SENSE IN THE MOMENT

Here's the truth: Obedience often doesn't make sense in the moment. It might even look foolish to others.

1. When Noah was building an ark in the middle of dry land – DRY LAND – I’m sure his neighbors thought he’d lost his mind.

2. When Abraham packed up his family to go to an unknown land, his relatives probably thought he was having a midlife crisis.

3. When David faced Goliath with just a sling and some small stones, the entire Israelite army probably thought he was off his rocker.

OBEDIENCE IS THE EVIDENCE OF OUR FAITH

But obedience is the evidence of our faith. It’s how we show God – and the world – that we truly believe what He says. It’s easy to say you believe when everything’s going well. But when God asks us to do something difficult, something that maybe even seems to go against the world’s wisdom, that’s when our faith is truly tested and demonstrated.

OBEDIENCE IS HOW WE POSITION OURSELVES FOR GOD’S BLESSINGS.

Obedience is also how we position ourselves for God’s blessings. Think about it – if the Israelites hadn’t marched around Jericho as God instructed, would the walls have fallen? Probably not.

Their obedience put them in the right place at the right time to witness God’s miraculous power. In the same way, our obedience to God’s instructions – even when they don’t make sense – it positions us to experience His power and blessings in our lives.

OBEDIENCE IS HOW WE GROW IN OUR FAITH

Moreover, obedience is how we grow in our faith. Each time we choose to obey God, especially when it's difficult, our faith muscles get stronger. Paul tells us in Romans 5:3-4:

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,”
- Romans 5:3-4 (ESV)

The process of growth through obedience is a recurring theme in Scripture. James 1:2-4 encourages us to

“Count it all joy…when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
- James 1:2-4 (ESV)

A life of faith is evidence by a life of obedience to God’s word, even when it seems absurd. Our obedience to Him, no matter how seemingly insignificant, could be the very thing that the Holy Spirit is using to bring someone else to Christ. That seemingly insignificant moment could have an eternal impact on someone else’s eternity. Our acts of obedience don’t earn us our salvation, but they become powerful testimonies to others of God’s faithfulness. If you have been putting something off that God is calling you to do, don’t wait until all your doubts are gone. Choose to obey now. Take that first step of obedience, even if it’s small. Because here’s the amazing thing – when we step out in obedience, God meets us there. He doesn’t call us to obey and then leave us to figure it out on our own. He equips us. He goes before us and behind us. Our job is obedience. God’s job is results. So whatever He’s calling you to do, do it. Trust and obey, because there’s not a better way to experience the fullness of what God has for you – than to trust Him.

3.  Faith Keeps God at the Center

Now, let's talk about focus. The third lesson: Faith Keeps God at the Center. In this whole march around Jericho, there was one thing at the center of it all - the Ark of the Covenant.

“8 And just as Joshua had commanded the people, the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the Lord went forward, blowing the trumpets, with the ark of the covenant of the Lord following them. 9 The armed men were walking before the priests who were blowing the trumpets, and the rear guard was walking after the ark, while the trumpets blew continually.”
- Joshua 6:8-9 (ESV)

In other words, as the Israelites marched around those intimidating walls, they were constantly reminded of God's presence with them. The ark wasn’t just some fancy heavy box they had to lug around – no, represented God’s throne, His authority, His presence among His people. And it was right there in the middle of their procession, every single day. With every step, they could look at the Ark and remember, “God is here. He’s with us. He’s leading us.” You see, it's so easy to get our eyes fixed on the problems around us. Maybe you have thoughts like, “What did I do that was so bad that God would allow for this to happen? If God has a plan, then why am I facing this struggle? If He has a plan, then why did He plan for me to deal with these issues in my life?” Those are fair questions. So

I’ll just put it this way:

Faith refuses to be more impressed with the problem than with the Problem Solver.

When we keep our focus on God, suddenly those walls don't look so high anymore. Those problems don’t seem so insurmountable. Again, whether those walls fall in this life or the next. Because we serve a God who parted the Red Sea, who rained manna from heaven, who brought water from a rock. We don’t serve a god, we serve the God. The God who spoke the universe into existence, who holds all things together by the Word of His power. And that same God is with us, in the midst of our circumstances. Whatever you’re focusing on will grow bigger in your mind. Don’t believe me? What about when you’re thinking about buying a car, and suddenly you see that car everywhere. The car isn’t suddenly more common overnight; you’re just more aware of it because it’s what you’re focusing on. In the same way, if you focus on your problems, they’ll begin to seem insurmountable. They’ll consume your thoughts, dominate your emotions, and drain your energy.

But if you focus on God, you’ll be reminded of His power, His love, and His faithfulness. You’ll be encouraged by His promises and His Word. That ultimately, we will all have victory in Him. When you focus on God, it’s like we talked about last week – you take the position of living out the phrase, “If I have Jesus, I have enough.” Remember Colossians 3:2: "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." When we keep God at the center, those problems that seemed so big start to shrink in comparison of the greatness of our God.

And that doesn’t mean that we just ignore our problems or pretend they don’t exist. The Israelites didn’t pretend the walls of Jericho weren’t there. Paul didn’t pretend he wasn’t in prison while witnessing to the guards and writing his letters. They chose, though, to focus more on God’s presence and promise than on the height of the walls.

For the Israelites, the impenetrable walls of Jericho came crashing down.

For Paul, his chains became a means of spreading the gospel, even to Caesar's household.

In both cases, what seemed like insurmountable obstacles became opportunities for God to display His power and faithfulness.

So how do we keep God at the center?

We need to saturate ourselves in God’s Word. (Ps. 119:105)

When we’re constantly in the Word, we’re constantly reminded of who God is and what He’s capable of. It’s how God speaks to us, how He reveals His character and His promises.

We need to maintain a consistent prayer life. (Phil. 4:6-7)

Prayer isn’t just about asking God for things. Did you know that? It’s about talking to Him. It’s about aligning our hearts with His, seeking His will, and listening. It’s about reminding ourselves of His presence in our lives. When we pray, we shift our focus from inward, to upward.

We need to regularly join with believers who will point us back to God. (Heb. 10:24-25)

When we’re in the thick of a difficult situation, it’s easy to lose perspective. We need brothers and sisters in Christ who will remind us of God’s faithfulness, who will pray with us and for us, who will speak truth into our lives. So are you fixing your eyes on the One who can bring those walls down? Are you more aware of your problems, or God’s presence? Are you letting your circumstances dictate your mood and your outlook, or are you allowing God’s truth to shape your perspective? This is a choice that we have to make daily, sometimes moment by moment. To lift our eyes from our circumstances and fix them on our Savior.

4. Faith Perseveres in the Face of Delay

Because for the Israelites, this Jericho problem wasn't a quick process. This brings us to our fourth lesson, which is this: “Faith Perseveres in the Face of Delay.” Read with me in vv. 14-15:

“14 And the second day they marched around the city once, and returned into the camp. So they did for six days.

15 On the seventh day they rose early, at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times.”
- Joshua 6:14-15 (ESV)

Can you imagine how tedious that must have been? Day after day, same routine, no visible results. The first day might have been exciting - the anticipation of what God was going to do. But by day three? Day five? It would have been so easy to give up, to say, "This isn't working. Let's try something else. What if we tried actually attacking the wall we want to destroy? Has anyone considered that approach? Maybe instead of just walking?" But they didn't. They persevered. Faith isn't just about believing; it's about continuing to believe even when we don't see immediate results.

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

You see, faith isn't just about believing God for a moment. It’s not just about that initial burst of enthusiasm when we first hear God’s promises. It’s about continuing to believe even when the answer doesn’t come right away. It's about staying faithful when God's timing differs from ours. Because God’s timing often differs from ours, doesn’t it? But hear me in this: God's delays are not His denials. Just because you don't see results right away doesn't mean God isn't working. In fact, sometimes the waiting period is where God does His deepest work in our hearts.

Hebrews 10:36 tells us, "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."

Endurance. Perseverance. Staying power. That's what faith looks like in real life. It’s the waiting that our faith is tested and refined. It’s in the perseverance that our character is developed.

Where have you been tempted to give up because you're not seeing results? Maybe you've been praying for a loved one's salvation for years, and they seem further from God than ever. Maybe you've been working on overcoming a particular sin, but you keep falling back into old patterns. Maybe you've been waiting for God to fulfill a promise, but all you see are walls.

Maybe you feel like you’re on day 6 walking around those walls. Is God going to do anything?

Endurance. Perseverance. Trusting in him.

Like this:

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“20 So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.”
- Joshua 6:20 (ESV)

Every single day we’re getting closer to our seventh day. Run the race before you with endurance. Persevere. Trust.

Here are some practical ways to cultivate perseverance in your faith:

1. Stay in God's Word daily.
   Let His promises renew your mind and strengthen your resolve.

2. Focus on obedience rather than results.
   Your job is obedience; God’s job is results.

3. Celebrate small victories along the way.
   Don't wait for the walls to fall completely before you praise God.

4. Remember that delay is not denial.
   God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't align with ours, or even if we don’t get to see the results in our lifetime.

The joy of seeing God's promises fulfilled is worth every step of the journey.

5.  Faith Opens the Door to God's Mercy

Now, let's talk about an often-overlooked aspect of this story – and it’s that Faith Opens the Door to God’s Mercy. In the midst of this account of judgment and conquest, we find an incredible thread of mercy woven throughout. Mercy that is accessed through faith. You see, the fall of Jericho wasn't just about God's power; it was also about His mercy. The people of Jericho had heard about the God of Israel. They knew about the miracles in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, the victories in the wilderness. They had every opportunity to turn to the true God, but most of them chose not to. However, there was one person who responded differently. One person whose faith opened the door to God's mercy - Rahab. Now, we're going to dive deep into Rahab's story next week, so I won't steal Pastor Josh's thunder. But I do want us to consider the principle her story illustrates. Read with me in verses 22-23:

“22 But to the two men who had spied out the land, Joshua said, “Go into the prostitute's house and bring out from there the woman and all who belong to her, as you swore to her.” 23 So the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab and her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. And they brought all her relatives and put them outside the camp of Israel.”
- Joshua 6:22-23 (ESV)

Because this is the heart of the gospel right here. No one is beyond the reach of God's grace. No one is too far gone for God's mercy. Faith - even a small amount - can open the floodgates of God's mercy in our lives. Throughout Scripture, we see how faith attracts God's mercy. Think about Abraham, who was declared righteous because of his faith. Or the Roman centurion, whose faith in Jesus' authority led to his servant's healing.

Here's the incredible thing: When we put our faith in God, it doesn't just save us from judgment. It transforms our entire identity and destiny. It takes us from outsiders to insiders, from sinners to saints, from hopeless to hope-filled. And it's not about being good enough. It's about having faith in a good God.

Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Are you struggling to believe that God could show mercy to you? Are you holding onto shame or guilt from your past? Do you feel like your sins are too big, too numerous, or too heinous for God to forgive? Remember that faith opens the door to God's mercy. Because your past doesn't disqualify you from God's mercy; it qualifies you for it. Because that's what mercy is – undeserved favor. Faith that conquers isn't just about overcoming obstacles. It's about opening the door to God's transforming mercy. And that mercy is available to you right now, no matter who you are or what you've done. All it takes is faith.

See, what might be too hard for you is never too hard for God. And that's the truth. The same God who brought down the walls of Jericho is the same God who's with you right now. Just like Israel couldn't conquer Jericho by their own strength, we can't overcome our challenges by our own power. Because without God, without faith – you could have blown those trumpets for a hundred years without a single stone moving. But faith – man, faith can move mountains. That's where Jesus comes in. The ultimate wall-breaker. I’m serious. Just like God told Joshua “I have given Jericho into your hand” – past tense – Christ has already won the victory over sin and death, breaking down the ultimate wall of sin between us and God. Through faith in Him, we can overcome any spiritual obstacle we face. No one is beyond God's reach or mercy.

So here's my challenge to you today: Put your faith in Christ. If you've never put your faith in Jesus, or if you've wandered away from Him, today is the day to come home. Romans 10:9-10 tells us, "Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."

If you're ready to do that, I invite you to pray with me. But before we pray together, I want to make something very clear: it's not the prayer itself that saves you. It's not about saying the right words or following a formula. Salvation comes through genuine faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. This prayer is simply a way to express that faith, but it's the sincere belief in your heart and the commitment of your life to Him that matters. This prayer is meant to be a reflection of the decision you're making in your heart to follow Jesus. So if you're ready to put your faith in Christ, to trust Him as your Savior and commit to following Him as Lord, I invite you to pray with me. You can use your own words, or you can follow along with me. The important thing is that this prayer reflects the genuine decision of your heart. Let's pray:

“Heavenly Father, I come to you recognizing that I am a sinner in need of your grace. I believe that Jesus died for my sins and rose again. I trust in Him alone for my salvation. I surrender my life to you, turning from my own ways to follow your plan. Help me to trust you even when I don't understand, to obey you even when it's difficult, and to keep my eyes fixed on you. Thank you for your love, forgiveness, and the new life you offer. In Jesus' name, Amen.”

For those of you who are already believers, or new believers, let this story of Jericho challenge you to live out your faith boldly. Keep your eyes on Him, not centered solely on your problems. Persevere, even when victory seems delayed. And always remember that His mercy is available to you and to those around you. It's pretty simple: just trust and obey. For there's no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey. And when we see that the Jerichos of our world collapse before the gospel of God's grace, it will be on the terms of the commander of the Lord's army and by his life-giving power alone.

So go forth. March around your Jerichos. Blow your trumpets of praise. Shout your victory cries.