Triumph Before Victory

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

The conquest of Jericho is a striking example of how faith, which trusts in the word of God and acts on it, rises above seemingly insurmountable obstacles. 

It all begins with God’s word. He makes a promise to Joshua before the conquest and says: “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valour” (Josh. 6:2). He doesn’t say: “I will give Jericho into your hand”, but “I have given Jericho into your hand”. So he receives the firm promise that the victory is already his. It’s now up to the people to realise that victory in taking possession of the city. 

The Israelites receive clear directions from God how to act in this: march around the city, blow the trumpets and shout loudly! No normal person would have thought that this loud shouting or cheering (the Hebrew word can also be translated ‘shouting in triumph’ or ‘shouting for joy’) would cause the mighty walls of this city to collapse. But the secret to the victory lies in this cheering—because it’s the shout of faith acting on God’s word. 

Living faith takes God at His word and already rejoices in the promised victory, although it’s not even remotely visible. What does the LORD do in this situation? He answers to their trust in fulfilling His promise and a wall so great that a woman could live in it suddenly collapses. Wonderful victory of faith! 

H Forbes Witherby writes in relation to this: “Soldiers of Christ, our Lord, in heaven! Let us stir up our souls to faith. The Lord has promised the victory as He promised it to Israel. They believed Him, “by faith the walls of Jericho fell down.” Faith grasps God’s strength; “all things are possible to him that believes.” Let the soldier of Christ, at his Lord’s bidding, go forth to fight for Him, and let him be as assured of victory as was Israel, before whom, the ponderous walls fell down flat.” (The Book of Joshua, H Forbes Witherby) 

How impressive the singing of Paul and Silas in prison must have been, when—although their backs were bleeding because of the beating with rods and their feet were fastened in the stocks—at midnight they sang hymns to the glory of God, listened to by their fellow prisoners. Then God gave an earthquake, loosed the iron chains of the prisoners and used His two servants to lead the cruel jailor from death to eternal life. 

Today there are still “songs in the night” (Job 35:10), when we trust Him in all circumstances.

J.P.S.