TOPIC: Look before you leap

TEXT: Joshua 5:13-15; Psalm 121

INTRODUCTION:  Of all the walled cities in Palestine, Jericho was probably the most invincible. Israel’s army had no siege engines, no battering rams, no catapults, and no moving towers. Their only weapons were slings, arrows, and spears-which were like straws against the walls of Jericho. How would they take possession of the Land God had given them? So many are standing by their Jericho today and contemplating like Joshua how to take it. The psalmist records “I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help, my help cometh from the Lord who made heaven and earth” What is that Jericho you need to take, look up to God before you leap.

  1. Looking unto Jesus: The art of looking at the hills is not so much that the hills can give any help, but the psalmist is looking out for dangers that might be hidden behind the hills as he went on his journey with his sheep. There are dangers inherent in any journey especially one that one has not traversed before. The only person who knows what is hidden and beyond the hill is the omniscient one. No wonder the bible encourages us to look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. He has traversed the journey and has obtained victory. Joshua is a type of Christ and the bible teaches us he lifted up his eyes and looked at Jericho. God told Joshua in Joshua 3:4 “yet there shall be a space between you and the ark of covenant…come not near it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for you have not passed this way before”. Jerichos are not easily overcome. It was difficult for Christ as He faced Jerusalem where He was to be crucified but He set His face like flint. He was determined and sought the will of His father. In His example, we can look up to whatever is the Jericho of our lives and wait for the leading of the Lord. The bible declares that those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles. Meditating on the words of God brings us into His presence and in it; He gives us instruction as how to proceed against our Jericho. The bible declares that as Joshua meditated on the problem confronting him, he encountered the presence of God in form of a man with sword drawn. I do not know what problems that  are standing as your Jericho today, but I want to declare that God is having an encounter with you this day. That problem that had resisted solution will receive solution today in Jesus name.
  2. Discerning what you see: Discernment is one of the major problems facing Christians in their walk of faith. The bible declares that satan as much as possible would like to lead us in various direction to cloud our vision. Was the man who appeared to Joshua for him or against him? It takes the boldness of a warrior to enquire from the Lord what we do not understand. Even if it will take time we need to tarry before the Lord to be able to discern properly. Joshua could recall experiences from the time of Moses to help him make good judgment. In today’s terms it means being versed in the word of God. It gives us the ability to distinguish between truth and error. The first thing is that the man introduced himself as the captain of the host of the Lord. It is only Jehovah God that leads His army in battle. Immediately Joshua recognized he was confronting a divine being. Secondly as Joshua fell down to worship, the worship was not rejected. This left no doubt that this was God’s manifestation to him. Thirdly, the man commanded him to take off his shoes for the place he was standing was holy ground. Joshua would have no more doubt in his mind, remembering the same thing that happened to Moses, that this was God coming to encourage him and give him solution to the problem of Jericho. This theophany assured Joshua that Yahweh would also personally lead His people in battle. I wish to declare to someone today that the Lord has come to give you a solution to your Jericho problem.
  3. Leaping into victory: Until we have looked properly and discerned what God is revealing to us it, would be presumptuous faith to leap at just any instance we think we want to take steps of faith. Having being assured that God would lead His people in battle, Joshua was ready to leap. Leaping without looking can lead to disasters of faith. 1 Tim. 1:19 gives example of people who rejected looking, discernment or making good judgment making a shipwreck of their faith. It is only as we have done this that we can safely leap on to victory. Jesus decided to follow the father’s will after discerning His will in the Garden of Gethsemane and was subjected to death on the cross. This fetched Him a name that is higher than any other name in heaven on earth and underneath the earth and eternal victory for us over death. Look unto Jesus today and He will lead you to eternal victory.