When the Walls Come Tumbeling Down

Hebrews 11:30 “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.”

God had promised the Israelites a land that flowed with milk and honey, but standing in their way was the intimidating, awe-inspiring city of Jericho. Jericho not only had a formidable military, but was also fortified by two massive walls that encircled the entire city. The outer wall was about 6 ft. thick and 20 ft. high. The inner wall was about 12 ft. thick and was 30 ft. high. Between the walls was a guarded walkway about 15 ft. wide. Israel had a huge problem, and that problem was penetrating the walls of Jericho. Can you imagine what this place looked like to the average soldier of “little ole Israel”? If Israel would have “walked by sight”, then to conquer Jericho would have seemed impossible, but they “walked by faith” in the promise and instruction of the Lord, and the seemingly impossible became absolutely possible. Because of their faith and obedience to the word and plan of God, the walls of Jericho fell flat on the ground, and Israel conquered their insurmountable obstacle. (Joshua 6:1-24)

Just as Israel was presented with the obstacle of the walls of Jericho, you and I will face walls and obstacles in our lives, as long as we live. We have to learn to look upon our obstacles not as dead-ends, but as opportunities for the Lord to be victorious in every situation. Our walls could be marital problems, the death of a loved one, financial difficulties, struggles with addiction, or any one of a million different problems or obstacles. If we approach our walls by “sight”, then they will look just as ominous as the walls of Jericho looked to the Israelites. But if we “walk by faith” in the promises of God and obey the instruction of His Word, then we too will see our walls fall flat on the ground as they did in Jericho.

As we face our “walls”, whatever they may be, we can do so with confidence because “we walk by faith and not by sight”. (2 Corinthians 5:7) What we have to understand is that no obstacle is insurmountable as long as we face it in the Lord! The victory is always in the Lord. In 1 John 5:4, John tells us, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the VICTORY that has overcome the world -- our FAITH." As long as we apply the word of God by faith to our “walls of Jericho”, then we will always be victorious.

What kind of walled city are you facing right now? Does it appear to be unconquerable? Do the walls look too high and do they appear too thick? Does it seem that victory is absolutely impossible in your case?

Let me remind you that if your walls haven't already fallen down flat, they can! They can fall right now! You need to take a lesson from Israel and start handling your "Walls of Jericho”, God's way. Claim a promise from God, obey the instruction that He has given you in His word, and “walk by faith not by sight” around and through the walls that seem to be insurmountable in your life. The victory is in faith. Do you trust God to level your walls? He can and will, if only you will “walk by faith”.