#7 Justice and Grace at Jericho

How many people still have their eyes on things of this world? Heaven will be so much better than anything on earth. This is here our hearts are to belong. Israel crossed over into the Promised Land. They spent 40 years wandering, looking forward. They had even tasted of the good things to come. But there were enemies in the way. Jericho defied Israel. The Lord wins the battle. That's what this passage does for us. It gives us hope against our enemies. They cannot stand against the Lord. We need to consider the Lord's help. If we are to understand how the Lord wins the battle, we need to understand the Lord's method. Americans pride ourselves in figuring things out and accomplishing difficult tasks. But we are also sinners. We pride ourselves in doing things ourselves. This is how works righteousness has taken over the church today! Salvation by faith alone? Sinful man doesn't want that! God told Joshua to walk around Jericho one a day for 6 days and 7 times on the 7th day. God's methods to victorious living are simple. They are the ordinary means of grace! We need to consider that the Lord's battle is the Lord's demand. God does expect something of his people. God demands "all that is within it shall be devoted to the LORD for destruction, except Rahab. Do you know what Jesus says about his demands? Matthew 11:30, "my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Holiness, purity, obedience. That's what God demands.