Have you ever watched a movie and wished you could skip all the sad, boring, difficult parts, and fast forward to the happy ending?
Sometimes, we wish life could be like that too. When things get hard, we want God to fix them quickly. We may pray, “God, when will this problem end?” But, the answer does not come as soon as we hope.
The Israelites may have felt this way at Jericho. God told them that He had given them the city, but they still had to obey His unusual instructions. For six days, they marched around the huge walls once each day. On the seventh day, they marched around them seven times.
Imagine walking around and around and around the same wall with a mocking audience. We might wonder, "Why are we doing this? When will the wall fall?".
The Israelites kept going. They did not know exactly when the victory would follow; they just knew God had made His promise. So, step by step, day by day, they obeyed Him.
In our lives, we may be standing face-to-face with our own “walls”. Perhaps there's a subject at school we find difficult. Maybe we have been praying about a problem for a long time. Perhaps we are trying hard to stop doing wrong. We may not see God's answer yet. Still, we don't give up.
God does not work according to our timetable. He asks us to trust Him and keep walking faithfully. James 1:3–4 teaches us that the testing of our faith produces perseverance. As we keep trusting God through difficult times, He helps us grow stronger and more mature.
The Israelites did not knock down the walls themselves or force their way into Jericho, God did the work. Their job was to trust and obey.
Our job is not to know everything that will happen tomorrow. Our job is to take today's step of faith. Keep praying. Keep obeying. Keep trusting.
One day, in God's perfect way and timing, we will look back and understand why we had to keep walking in circles until God allowed us to stop.
Discussion Questions:
Is there something difficult in your life you wish God would fix immediately?
What can you learn from the Israelites' obedience at Jericho?
What is one small step of faith and obedience you can take today?
How can remembering God's promises help you when you feel like giving up?
Prayer in Words:
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray.
Sometimes, we want all our problems to disappear quickly.
When we have to wait, we grow tired, discouraged, or impatient.
So, please help us trust Your timing,
Even when we do not understand what You are doing.
Give us strength to keep praying, obeying,
And taking one step at a time,
All the while remembering that You always keep Your promises.
When we feel like giving up,
Remind us that You are with us and we can rely on You.
Hallelujah, Amen.
