Joshua 6:1-21.

Three lessons from the Book of Joshua:

1.The absolute faithfulness of God

2. The gifts of God and His blessings

3. The hatred of God for sin

God intended Israel to be taken to the land of  Canaan but they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years because of their disobedience -Deut.8:7-9,15.

They had their trials in the wilderness. The first thing they came up to when they left the wilderness was a walled city. We do not meet walled cities in Heaven. Canaan was something different from Egypt (the world we live in under the control of Satan:-Satan's world). There should be no Jericho in Canaan. In the spiritual life there should be no Egypt.

Jericho must be overcome. It was on the border, before crossing into Canaan. They overcame it in order to occupy the promised land, God was with them. Some people have Jerichos in their lives and are hindered from following Jesus.

God insisted that the people of Jericho be driven out-Deut.18:9-14. God intended to bring His people into a rich place, flowing with milk and honey. To get into the place God wants us, we must get Jericho out of the way. No compromise.

We must get rid of all flesh. Our heart is the property of the H.S. No flesh should be entertained in it. If we want to advance with God we must do it His way.

The pre-eminent place was given to the Ark. It led all the way. Jesus should have the pre-eminence in our hearts. God was with Israel conquering Jericho-Jos.5:13-15. He was also working from inside Jericho (Rahab).

God's Word has the means of getting in though men try and stop it Jos.5:1. Jericho was shut up but God said go in and take it.

We have problems and impossibilities but God is able to shift all difficulties before us. God would work, but Israel had to obey.

There is a prize to be won, but there is also something we must do. They had to walk round Jericho blowing  horns. It would seem a foolish way to do it.

I may not see the results but I should keep going. It's a test of faith. God could have brought the wall down the first day, but they had to obey. I should keep going into the alleyways and byways. 

If they had not stuck by what they promised God, they would not   have seen the wall come down. They kept going without any sign of encouragement. It was tough going but God honoured their faith.

We like to see results immediately, but God works in His own time. Moses was in a hurry but God sent him to Midian for 40 years. The disciples said, 'Lord why can't we cast him out?, but Jesus said this needs prayer and fasting'.

When they shouted at God's command, the wall came down, not before. But Jericho had its temptations- Achan and the Babylonish garment. The punishment was  harsh, no compromise with sin and disobedience- 'A little leaven, leavens the whole lump'.

When Jericho was taken the way was open for the conquest of Canaan, but they had to fight all the way. God knows before He calls us to Salvation that we have to face the unknown, full of difficulties, so He made provision to guide and lead us in our Christian lives.

The cloud by day and the pillar of fire guaranteed a sure compass to the Israelites all the way to Canaan.

We are reminded of Paul and his companions in the Acts on their journeys in Asia. The H.S. repeatedly forbade them to go into various regions where they desired to go. Only when they reached Troas did they realized why. God revealed His will in a vision to Paul. It is the same with us when our desires push us in various directions, until the H.S. says "not this way". We should be thankful to our God who in His Mercy saw the need to guide and lead us from the moment we decided to follow Christ. It is part of our calling. His leading and guidance is not an emergency act but a carefully planned road that He wants us to follow.

What is our responsibility in all this?

Obedience that says-not my will but yours be done.

Sometimes we may find ourselves perplexed but let us be careful to show the right attitude, not like the Israelites. Their  disobedience and rebellions led them to destruction and a 40 year delay in reaching their destination. 'Today if you hear His voice harden not your hears.....'