The Conquest of Faith

     

 

By Faith- 13

 

TITLE: The Conquest of Faith  

TEXT: Hebrews 11:30; Joshua 6:1-27

THESIS: The story of Joshua and the fall of Jericho illustrates that steadfast faith and intentional silence before God are crucial for overcoming formidable challenges.

 

TRUTH: Once upon a time in a serene meadow, there lived a tortoise and a hare. The hare was loud and boisterous, constantly bragging about his speed and agility. Meanwhile, the tortoise, quiet and contemplative, kept silent, embodying a sense of calm determination.

 

One day, with a flourish of confidence, the hare challenged the tortoise to a race, certain that he would win without a doubt. As the race began, the hare dashed ahead, his loud cheers echoing in the air, while the tortoise moved forward steadily, silent yet resolute.

 

Feeling secure in his overwhelming lead, the hare decided to take a nap, convinced that he had plenty of time. He snored loudly, oblivious to the world around him. Meanwhile, the tortoise kept moving at his slow but unwavering pace. He didn’t rush, nor did he get distracted by the noise of the boastful hare.

 

Eventually, the tortoise, maintaining his focus and perseverance, passed the sleeping hare and crossed the finish line just as the hare woke up with a start, realizing his folly too late. The hare, despite his natural speed and loud proclamations, had let his pride and overconfidence lead him to defeat. 

 

This fable teaches a vital lesson about the value of quiet determination over boastful arrogance. Just as the tortoise remained steadfast in his silent resolve, individuals are encouraged to persevere and stay committed, regardless of external distractions. In the end, it’s not the volume of your confidence that matters, but the steadfast faith and determination that lead to true success.

 

Much like the tortoise, we see God call the nation of Israel to quiet determination. 

 

After crossing the Jordan, the new generation celebrates the Passover. And like Abraham (Gen. 18:1-16), Jacob (Gen 32:22-23), and Moses (Ex. 3:1-4:17), at the turning point of his mission, Joshua experiences a divine presence or theophany –“The Commander of the army of the Lord.”

 

The man has a drawn sword as if ready for battle, so Joshua asks the natural question of whose side the man is on. The man responds: ‘neither,’ his allegiance is to God alone -He is the commander of the Lord’s army. Through theophany, God is assuring Joshua of His presence with Him and the nation. This also appears to form an inclusio: 6:2; 6:27. Confidence in God’s divine presence is the motivation behind each step you take in trial.

 

This is especially true as it relates to bringing down strongholds -like the fortified city of Jericho. Jericho was the entryway into the land of Canaan and positioned like a barred gate, allowing no in or out. It was surrounded by walls with a steep incline, making it nearly impossible for an army to ascend without getting slaughtered. Even so, God tells Joshua that Jericho has already been delivered into his hands. Joshua needs only to follow God’s instructions and carry out God’s design.

 

Joshua was to lead the march around the city for a total of thirteen times: once per day for six days, then seven times on the seventh day. On the last day, the priests are to blow trumpets, and the walls will collapse, providing entrance into the city.

 

Joshua communicates God’s battle plan to the priests and the armed men of Israel. He specifies that the priests are to carry the ark of the covenant at the front of their columns with the armed guard leading the procession. Joshua takes special care to tell the army not to give the war cry until precisely the right time, all according to God’s design.

 

Before we jump into today's lessons, there are some major themes we can already identify, like: God’s presence in the battle; the battle itself is ultimately God’s; and God is the one who brings victory. The following are other practical lessons.

 

 

I.                            Silence before God along the way

 

Explanation: This was the first step in their preparation. Their lips were not to speak a word; of course, this was no easy task. For one thing, there were several million people, and it is hard to imagine any large group of people moving anywhere without the increasingly noisy roar of voices.

 

Plus, there would have been the taunts of the encircled citizens of Jericho. Think about a silent marching force. They did not respond to the jeering and insults, remaining silent. Silence before God -this is the lesson we all need to hear today. To be still and know that He is God.

 

This is an intentional silence designed to help eliminate distractions of a hurried culture. Silence before God helps us slow down and hear God's voice. Silence helps center our hearts on God's will. Silence before God is how we discern the Word of God, which serves as an anchor for the soul. Silence before God helps develop intentionality.

 

The purpose of silence is not to seek some mystical experience. The Word of God is sufficient. Nor is silence a call to ascetism, a withdrawal from the world. But a time when we quietly reflect on biblical truth, submit personal cares to God, and rest in the finished work of Christ.

 

Silence is also essential in preparation for spiritual warfare. Not all battles are to be fought in traditional ways, using traditional means. The Israelites faced a fortified city, yet their victory depended not on military might, but on the spiritual alignment of their hearts, minds, and mouths with God’s sovereign plan.

 

All battles are ultimately spiritual and must be fought God’s way. This is why introspection in silence before God is so important. Silence allows the Holy Spirit to search our own hearts and reveal the sinful ways in us. We are called to remove the log from our own eye first. For this reason, many shun silence before God. God had to put Elijah in silence, He had to drive Jonah to silence, and Jesus wanted silence.

 

Another key lesson for us today is…

 

II.                        Obedience to God all the way

 

Explanation: The second act of preparation for the conquest was obedience. What is it that most honors God? What is it that God most delights in?  Is it eloquent professions of faith? No. Many have called Jesus “lord, lord,” but have fallen and ceased to serve Him. Is it the exercise of great natural abilities? No. But what does the scripture say:

 

“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice and to heed is better than the fat of rams” -1Sam. 15:22

 

The thing that most honors and delights God is obedience. Even Jesus modeled obedience unto death. This is the true test of being born again. Do you obey God? Not that we are saved by obedience, but true salvation does produce obedience to the commands of God. What about silence before God? Do you practice that, or are you always running your mouth?

 

Notice what the Bible says about obedience.

 

-              Obedience leads to blessing: Duet. 5:33

-              Obedience most pleases God: 1Sam. 15:22

-              Obedience is proof of one’s love: Jn. 14:15

-              Obedience is proof of sonship: Rom. 6:16

 

Of course, we live in a world where walking in obedience toward God is not as easy as it sounds. There are the challenges of the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life. We battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil. But we also know and believe that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.

 

Think for a moment about the difficulties the Israelites faced. The first challenge was the city’s looming presence. The walls towered high above them, a monolithic testament to Jericho’s might. Surely, despite their faith, there were moments of doubt, wondering if a simple act of life, marching in silence, would accomplish anything.

 

Next, they would have encountered fierce and proud taunts and insults hurled down upon the Israelites. This is what is called psychological warfare -testing the resolve and commitment of the marchers. Yet they marched on in defiant silence. Their desire to obey God was greater than the fatigue they surely experienced. We see the same resolve in characters such as Esther, Ruth, Daniel, Nehemiah, Mary, and John the Baptist.

 

It is important to remember that daily acts of obedience in the so-called small things prepare us for great battles. We still have a third lesson...

 

 

III.                     Perseverance with God to the end

 

Explanation: The Israelites had to trust that their silence before God and obedience to God would enable them to persevere with God. This is why silence before God is so important. Faith is the engine that drives perseverance. In preparation for moments of great difficulty, and especially in moments of great difficulty, we must get alone with God in silence and in quiet meditation upon His word. It’s only when we commit to studying the Logos that God gives us the rhema for our specific situation. In those moments, God directly applies the Word to your heart, and it becomes an anchor that enables you to weather the storm.

 

They persevered together, with their shields of faith firmly in front, united truly in their dependence upon God. They knew God was with them and that the battle and victory were ultimately His. A firm belief in the sovereignty of God enables a person to embrace the following verses by faith.

 

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

 

Charles Simeon wrote, “Complain not that your trials are heavy or of long continuance, but be more anxious to have your imperfections consumed than to have the intensity of the furnace diminished.” - Charles Simeon.

 

In Romans, we read, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character and character produces hope and hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” -Romans 5:3-5.

 

One of the Puritan divines, Thomas Watson, once wrote, “The godly shall persevere in their faith, and they shall come forth as gold in the furnace, through all trials.” 

 

Remember the theological lessons.

 

1.       God is present in the battle.

2.       The battle itself is ultimately God’s.

3.       God is the one who brings victory.

 

The practical lessons

 

1.       Be silent before God along the way.

2.       Be obedient to God all the way.

3.       Persevere with God to the end.