Do It Again

"But the LORD said to Joshua, 'I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors. You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram's horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams' horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town." Joshua 6:2-5

When I read a story in the Bible I sometimes find it difficult to put myself in the shoes of the main characters. I see everything they are experiencing from the perspective of the end of the story. Sometimes that means I don't appreciate their struggle on the road to victory (or defeat). I have to "climb inside their heads", live each day as though I don't know what happens tomorrow, in order to have empathy--in order to learn the lesson set by their example.

You and I know Jericho will fall miraculously on the seventh go-around on the seventh day. It doesn't take faith on our part. We read it. We know what's going to happen.

But, do you think every one of the thousands of people kicking up dust as they circled that fortified city was marching in boisterous confidence? Maybe on the first day, but...had it waned by the sixth day...in the Middle Eastern sun?

This wasn't a walk around the block. The circumference of the city is estimated to have been half a mile. Not so difficult if you are in the front of the procession with no stragglers to slow you down. What if you're in the middle or among those bringing up the rear? The sun is hotter and the dust thicker. Maybe they wondered if the march would ever cease, if they'd ever stop walking in circles and go in and fight--go in and win--go and move on.

We aren't so very different from them. Because He loves us, God guarantees we will have lessons (we call them trials). We will be in learning situations where a victorious outcome depends on our trusting--and obeying--Him, no matter how long it takes. We may be called upon to walk with Him "six days" (a set time) while we see no action, no change to our circumstances.

But, Chosen Daughter of the LORD, take heart. The seventh dawn is on the horizon. In the meantime, we have this confidence, He is with us. He will not leave or forsake us. Each time we enter the classroom, He will teach us. He will do it again.

"Do It Again"

"Walking around these walls
I thought by now they'd fall
But You have never failed me yet
Waiting for change to come
Knowing the battle's won
For You have never failed me yet

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I'm still in Your hands
This is my confidence, You've never failed me yet

I know the night won't last
Your Word will come to pass
My heart will sing your praise again
Jesus You're still enough
Keep me within Your love
My heart will sing Your praise again

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I'm still in Your hands
This is my confidence, You never failed

I've seen You move, You move the mountains
And I believe, I'll see You do it again
You made a way, where there was no way
And I believe, I'll see You do it again

I'll see You do it again

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I'm still in Your hands
This is my confidence, You never failed me yet

And You never failed me yet
I never will forget
You never failed me yet
I never will forget."**

**Written by Mack Brock, Steven Furtick, Christopher Brown and Matt Redman
Elevation Worship