The city of Jericho is one of the oldest cities in the world, located about 15 miles northeast of Jerusalem. Jesus visited there often on his travels. 1400 years earlier, God’s commander-in-chief Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan River to take possession of the land of Canaan as God has promised. But Jericho stood in the way.
The massive, three-tiered wall structure surrounding the city was impenetrable. Archaeologists estimate that it towered up to 80 feet. However, God promised Joshua as the Israelites looked up at its invincible walls, “I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days” (Joshua 6:2,3).
On the seventh day they marched around the city seven times, then, “When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city” (Joshua 6:20).
Three simple words. The. Wall. Collapsed. That’s it. No explanation other than God. No engineering malfunction other than not taking God into your calculations. No normal earthquake or other natural disaster. It was God.
Plenty of athletes, before the game, have guaranteed, “I will win,” but only God speaks of the future that has already happened. Before the battle even begins, God doesn’t just guarantee that he will win. He promises that he has already won. Did you hear it?
“I have delivered Jericho into your hands.” The future with God is as certain as the past. The Bible also says, “Your sins have been forgiven” (1 John 2:12). God advances his promises to forgive you, yes before you even sin. God’s advance means his promises are already done.
So now what? “Advance!” Sail out of the safe harbor. Sacrifice whatever it takes in order to stop sinning. Speak up to your friends who need Jesus. So God’s advance applies not only to his words, but your work. “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth’” (Acts 13:47).
Put God’s advance into action and advance like Joshua and all the people. God is already there.
PRAYER: Dear God, you speak of a future that has already happened by your powerful promises because they never fail. Teach me to better trust you, and to believe in the future as certainly as I look at the past. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Where will you better advance this week—make a decision, move forward, or be on mission—realizing that you’ve been waiting for God? But he’s already there and waiting for you.