December 11

“And the LORD said to Joshua, ‘See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor.’” Joshua 6:2 ESV

The people of Jericho had already heard of the mighty works God had done for Israel bringing them out of Egypt and they were afraid. Even as a pagan people they could recognize that the LORD God ruled in the heavens above and the earth below. It is no surprise that they shut up the city inside and out when they saw the Israelites coming to camp outside their walls.

What happens next makes no earthly sense. There was no cleverness, no human strength, or military strategy that took the city. All that was required was obedience to God. The people of Israel stepped out in faith believing that the city would be theirs on the seventh day.

As a caregiver, you may feel that you are circling immovable burdens of fear, stress, and exhaustion. It may seem your prayers are going unanswered and you, like the Israelites, are seeing no visible progress. The wall still looks tall. The heavy stones aren’t shifting, and victory seems like a dream.

Take heart! The God of Joshua and the Israelites still reigns. He was at work before the miracle of falling walls became visible. He was preparing hearts, strengthening faith, and teaching his children to walk in his way. It wasn’t until his timing that the walls fell. This Advent, reflect on how you too can show trust in the God of Israel, the defeater of Jericho, the wall crusher—follow his lead into the ‘promised land.’

Prayer for today:

Heavenly Father, thank you for being a faithful God. You keep your promises to your people, bringing them into the land of your choosing. Help me to put my faith in your timing and find rest in you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.