The walls came tumbling down

So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. – Joshua 6.20

This is one of those Bible stories that has made it’s way into popular culture even though people may not know all of the details. The walls of Jericho falling down is a well known concept and has been used in all kinds of stories and movies and about ever way that tales can be told.

The story is basically this. Jericho was the first city to be conquered in Canaan. It is recognised as one of the oldest cities in the world and it would not seem like a likely target. It was huge and had high thick walls. It would have seemed undefeatable. Even the strongest armies would have had second thoughts about such an attack.

But God gave them battle plans.

For six days everyone go walk around the city.

On the seventh day walk around the city seven times.

The first six times just walk.

On the seventh day, when you have completed the circuit, everyone shout and beat your drums and blow your horns.

When you do the walls will collapse.

So they obeyed – and it worked.

I am the first to admit that I do not understand all of the workings of God.

But I do know this – even when it seems like there is no way through a battle God can show us a way. If we trust Him and obey Him and follow His directions there is nothing that He can't do for us. I have seen God do things for us that, in their own way, seem even more impossible than shaking the walls of a city.

I am so glad that we serve the God of the impossible and that no walls are too tall or too wide or too strong for Him.