1 Samuel 7:3-13: Raise a Memorial Stone

 

1 Samuel 7:3-13: Raise a Memorial Stone

As we read in Joshua 24:1-28, in 1 Samuel 7, a similar speech is orated by Samuel, and the people agree to follow only God.

Also, just as with Joshua, Samuel also uses a stone as a memorial in honor of the Lord's help.  Samuel calls his rock "Ebenezer."  If you have ever heard or sung the song "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" (shared at the end of this writing) and wondered what the line, "Here I raise my Ebenezer" meant, now you know it is based on 1 Samuel.  It means we are to raise a symbolic rock showing we will follow God alone and honor Him for His love, mercy, and help.  It also means we are to be repentant of our sins as we remember our vows to follow Him and not to backslide into sinful lifestyles.

Although the Israelites asked Samuel to pray for them, we do not need a third party to pray for us.  We can go directly to the God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit on our own.  Jesus' death on the cross brought about a new covenant that does not require sacrifices or priests.  Just you and me praying to God in humble prayer, with hearts of repentance, and faith that God is able to help just as He promised.      

If you so choose, you can find a real rock, draw one, or use a computer image of one to print off, and write or paint words on the rock that are personal to your walk with Jesus.  You can display your memorial stone somewhere prominent in your home where you can be frequently reminded of all God has helped you through.  Here is my drawing:

(1 Samuel 7:3-13) And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, "If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines."

Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the Lord only.

And Samuel said, "Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the Lord."

And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, "We have sinned against the Lord..." 

And the children of Israel said to Samuel, "Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines... and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him.

And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.

Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."

So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.

1 Samuel 3:1-21: Speak, Lord; For Your Servant Hears

1 Samuel 3:1-21: Speak, Lord; For Your Servant Hears

Samuel is called by God.  In verse 7 it says, "Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him."  Yet, in spite of this, God called Samuel and, based on advice from Eli, tells the Lord he is listening.

Verses 19-21 tell us that Samuel became prophet of the Lord as was well-known.  Because of his humble and willing heart, the Lord used Samuel in a mighty way.  Because he has an honorable reputation, both Kings Saul and David often called upon Samuel for council and/or a word from God.

May I also always be willing to be used by and for the Lord and say, "Speak, for thy servant heareth."  And may I always be as bold as Samuel and never fear to speak the Truth!

(1 Samuel 1:1-21) And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision... and Samuel was laid down to sleep; That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, "Here am I."

And he ran unto Eli, and said, "Here am I; for thou calledst me."

And he said, "I called not; lie down again."

And he went and lay down. And the Lord called yet again, "Samuel." 

And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here am I; for thou didst call me. "

And he answered, "I called not, my son; lie down again."

Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him. And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here am I; for thou didst call me. "

And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, "Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, 'Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.'"

So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, "Samuel, Samuel."

Then Samuel answered, "Speak; for thy servant heareth."

And the Lord said to Samuel, "Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not...."

And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.

Then Eli called Samuel, and he said, "What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me..."

And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him... And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

1 Samuel 1:1-2:11: Faithful Prayers Rewarded

 

1 Samuel 1:1-2:11: Faithful Prayers Rewarded

Hannah prays for a child.  We don't know how old she is, only that she is barren, is the second wife of Elkanah, and taunted by the first wife Peninnah. 

(1 Samuel 1:10) And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.

I see those first 7 words as significant.  In spite of her bitterness, she still managed to pray and trust the Lord.  One of many signs that she truly loves and trusts the Lord.

Hannah begged the Lord to give her a son.  She took her prayer a step farther when she promised to dedicate this child to the service of the Lord, even knowing that would mean the child would have to live apart from her.

God honored her humble prayer and granted her a son she named Samuel, which means "God has heard".  She kept her promise and dedicated Samuel to the Lord's service.  Does she weep at the parting?  Maybe, the Bible does not say, but it does say he prayed a beautiful prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 (see below). Instead of wallowing in self-pity, she chooses to praise the Lord!  Another sign of her true love for God.   

She is able to only see Samuel once a year, which must have been difficult.  However, God blessed her with 3 more sons and 2 daughters because she had kept her vow as well as graciously and humbly praised God for answering her prayers.

What faith and devotion Hannah had!  I believe it was the legacy of his mother's faithfulness that coincided with a profound call on Samuel's life. What a mighty and gracious God to reward both Hannah and her son for her faithfulness! 

(This is a long portion of scripture, but I edited some of it out, but please read the entire thing on your own.)

(1 Samuel 1:1-2:11) Now there was a certain man.. his name was Elkanah... And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children... And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb.

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and said, "O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head... I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord... for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto."

And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord... and the Lord remembered her. Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked him of the Lord."

She said unto her husband, "I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord, and there abide forever."

And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her... and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young.

And she said, "Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord. For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. " And he worshipped the Lord there.

And Hannah prayed, and said, "My heart rejoiceth in the Lord... because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed... He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed."

...And the child did minister unto the Lord before Eli the priest.

Judges 6:11 to 8:32: The Patience of God in Times of Doubt

 Judges 6:11 to 8:32: The Patience of God in Times of Doubt

I shared a link to Gideon's story in both my doubter series and Exploring the Angels From the Bible series, but in case you did not read the article, here it is:

Although Gideon may seem like a brave warrior, let's explore how he fits into the category of a doubter.

In the book of Judges, it is repeatedly stated that God was displeased with the Israelites for their disobedience. Yet, you will also read how God, in His great mercy, has compassion on them (like us) many more times than they (or we) deserve.  In chapter 6, we learn:

(Judges 6:1) The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.  

However, due to the Israelites crying out to God in their dire situation, God answers their call by raising up Gideon to lead them.  Like many before and after him, Gideon is called into service by an angel.  

(Judges 6:11-12) And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him," The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour."  

The definition of valor is: "great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle."  So right away, you can see Gideon is being called to bravely lead his people to battle.  Is Gideon always brave?  No, and even more surprising, Gideon very often lacks faith and doubts God.  As soon as he is called by the angel, we see his pattern of questioning God.  

(Judges 6:13) "If the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us... now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites." 

As disrespectful as this seems, haven't we all acted this exact same way?  I know I have.  While we may not literally have an angel in front of us, we can be given messages from other sources such as dreams, visions, and even other people. (A note of warning here: Be careful if someone says they heard from God.  If that person is not living a Godly life, or their words go against the Bible, disregard the message.  If it is a person you can trust as a spiritual leader, it is okay to still ask God for confirmation.)  When we receive true messages, we may still refuse to believe and question God based on negative experiences in our past. This side of Heaven, we cannot know why God chooses to allow difficult things to happen. Although difficult, we cannot live in the pains of the past, but trust God for each circumstance as separate occasions. Try to trust in his sovereignty even if you feel let down in the past. Remember God is always good, even though men rarely are. 

Again, God is gracious to Gideon and slow to anger.  Instead of the angel leaving and choosing someone else, he calmly states,

(Judges 6:14) "Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? "

Gideon still is full of doubt and but now it is in himself that he questions.  Why would God choose him?  He is "poor" and "the least in" his "father's house." (verse 15).  Goodness, that sounds like me!  I have used too many excuses to count for why I am not worthy to be used by God.  God does not want our list of shortcomings and failures.  He knows them better than we do.  He wants our obedience.  He will always provide what we lack.

In verse 16, the angel insists God will be with Gideon, and he will be successful in defeating the Midianites.  But is Gideon satisfied yet?  Nope.  He continues his doubting track.

(Judges 6:17) And he said unto him, "If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me." 

In verses 18-21 Gideon prepares a goat and bread and places it on an altar with some broth, and the angel uses his staff to create fire and consume the meal.  Let me make clear a brief, but important truth on angels. Angels are often depicted as magical.  They are often shown as having special powers to perform ridiculous tasks I will not even go into.  Be not deceived, God HATES witchcraft (Galatians 5:19-21- Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these... witchcraft... of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. ) as it comes from Satan, and not from God. Any "powers" angels display do not come from them but are granted by God. Just as when holy saints perform miracles, it is ONLY by God's power that allows them to do so. No angel or human can produce a miracle on their own.  If God is not involved, the power comes from Satan not man.

Therefore, this act performed from the angel in Judges is not an evil conjuring of fire from Hell, but fire from Heaven.  It was not the angel's power, but the power of God.

After Gideon witnesses the sign of God, he finally believes.

(Judges 6:22) And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the Lord, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord God! for because I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face. 

Gideon then gets to work and destroys the altars of Baal.  Now he is finally letting go of doubt and stepping into his role as a man of valor.

Throughout the rest of Gideon' story, we see the pattern of doubt.  He continually questions God and asks for signs of proof.  Yet God is beyond patient and provides each sign.  Gideon is also very successful in battle, even when greatly outnumbered (you can read the rest of his amazing story through to Judges 8:35).

Maybe you can relate, or maybe you have always had an unshakable faith and never questioned God, but we can agree that God is always gentle and kind with us.  He understands our doubts and as a patient Father, continues to give us time to wake up to His Truths and He will strengthen our doubts.

Trust & Obey

Written by John H. Sammis

When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His word
What a glory He sheds on our way
While we do His good will
He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey

But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay
For the favor He shows
For the joy He bestows
Are for them who will trust and obey

Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet
Or we'll walk by His side in the way
What He says we will do
Where He sends we will go
Never fear, only trust and obey

Trust and obey
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus
But to trust and obey

Joshua 24:1-28: Choose You This Day Whom You Will Serve

 

Joshua 24:1-28: Choose You This Day Whom You Will Serve

Joshua's last speech before he dies is to first remind the people of all of God's miracles, then he instructs them to fear the Lord and put away false gods and serve the Lord.  He tells them that now is the time to make a choice whom they will serve.  They remember the Lord's goodness and choose the Lord.

Joshua then reminds them they must serve only God.  God will forgive their sins only if they refuse to follow false idols.  He then says their promise to only serve the Lord is a witness against themselves should they ever backslide.  They set up a memorial stone to show that the Lord has heard their promise and that they will not deny God.  

 

This is one of my favorite portions of scripture in the Old Testament.  It is such a profound way in which Joshua addresses his people and reminds them of all God had done for them.  He wants to convince them to give up their sinful ways and follow only God.  How much more beautiful for us who live after Jesus' death on the cross and all He sacrificed to save our souls from Hell.  Knowing the veil has been torn so we can have a personal relationship with Jesus that does not require hollow ritual or a third party to speak to God (such as a priest), how much more we should want to give up our false gods and only have a pure relationship with Him! (see Matthew 27:51)

When we agree to follow Jesus, we are saying we want to be a new person and purge our lives of sinful habits.  We want to live according to the principles of Jesus Christ and no longer cleave to worldly, ungodly ways.

Time on this earth is very short and today truly is the day to choose whom you will serve.  Don't wait until tomorrow!  As for me and my husband, we choose the Lord! 

(2 Corinthians 6:2) For [God] saith, "I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured [gave assiatnce to] thee: behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation."

When we make a promise to serve God and forsake the world, it is a permanent witness to our souls that we have vowed to never deny or betray God.  I pray I always take my promises to the Lord seriously with awe, fear, and humility.

(2 Corinthians 5:10, 15-17) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

(This is a long portion of scripture, but I edited some of it out, but please read the entire thing on your own.)

(Joshua 24:1-28) And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel... and they presented themselves before God. And Joshua said unto all the people, "Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, 'Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time... and they served other gods. And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.... sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did among them: and afterward I brought you out. And I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and ye came unto the sea; and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with chariots and horsemen unto the Red sea... And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. '"

"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you THIS DAY whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

And the people answered and said, "God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods; For the Lord our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed... therefore will we also serve the Lord; for He is our God."

And Joshua said unto the people, "Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve Him."

 And they said, "We are witnesses."

"Now therefore put away," said he, "the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel."

And the people said unto Joshua, "The Lord our God will we serve, and His voice will we obey."

So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day... and Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of the Lord.

And Joshua said unto all the people, "Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the Lord which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God."

Joshua 7:1-26: Touch Not What is Forbidden

 

Joshua 7:1-26: Touch Not What is Forbidden

After their victory in Jericho in Joshua 6, the Israelites are given permission to take silver, gold, brass, and iron but not any false idols. (Joshua 6:18 - And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.) Just as in the Garden of Eden when God tells Adam he can enjoy all except the one tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (see Genesis 2:15-17 & 3:124), but he and Eve wanted what they were told not to touch.  Just as Adam and Eve were not satisfied with all they were allowed to have but selfishly and rebelliously wanted more than God had generously blessed them with (sounds like most people today), Achan takes from the spoils exactly what has been forbidden.

Joshua is unaware of Achan's sin and takes an army to defeat Ai, but about 36 of his men are killed and the army flees.  Confused because they have been so successful until now.  When Joshua falls on his face before the Lord, God tells him they are never going to have victory again because of the "accursed thing" in their camp. God says the people must sanctify (purify or cleanse) themselves and purge the camp of the item representing false religion which must be destroyed if they ever want to win another battle.

After searching the camp, it is discovered that Achan has taken the permitted silver and gold as well as some kind of forbidden "Babylonish garment."  His disobedience has brought a curse upon their people.  He is punished and killed.   

This sounds harsh by today's standards, and such strong punishment is obviously not necessary under new covenant ways, but we can still see this as an object lesson for us today.  You can absolutely think of it as symbolic that false idols will bring about spiritual death.  

Forbidden items brought into homes can curse entire families and make it impossible for blessings, especially when these things are chosen just as rebelliously and recklessly as Achan chose his items.  Just as the army could not find victory and his family and animals had to die because of Achan, innocent people may suffer the consequences because of your sin. 

In the New Testament, 2 Corinthians 6 tells us that when we refuse to touch the things God considered unclean, we can be blessed and called His children. 

(2 Corinthians 6:14-18 & 7:1) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?... And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God... "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate," saith the Lord, "and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters," saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

What are the accursed things today? Pornography, television/movies, ungodly music/ books, drugs/alcohol, all occultic items and practices (Ouija boards, tarot cards, yoga, etc.), and false religions that worship anyone except Jesus Christ, and bows to false idols such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Catholicism, etc.  Even being "unequally yoked," or too closely bonded with someone living in active rebellion against the things of God can cause us harm.      

Search your heart and soul and remove all accursed things from your life to find victory in Jesus!   

(Joshua 7:1-26) But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan... took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel. 

And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai... saying, "Go up and view the country..."

So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men... and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the Lord...

And Joshua said, "Alas, O Lord God, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us?..."

And the Lord said unto Joshua, "Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you... And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the Lord, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel."

So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes... and he brought his household man by man; and Achan...

And Joshua said unto Achan, "My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto Him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me."

And Achan answered Joshua, and said, "Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it."

So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it. And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the Lord. And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and... all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.

And Joshua said, "Why hast thou troubled us? the Lord shall trouble thee this day..."  So the Lord turned from the fierceness of his anger. 

Joshua 16:1-27: Tearing Down Strongholds, Written by my Husband & Let the Strongholds Fall (Song), Written by Me

Joshua 16:1-27: Tearing Down Strongholds

Written by my Husband (Mel)

When Joshua led the armies of Israel into the promised land, they were instructed by the Lord to drive out the inhabitants of the land. When the Israelites saw Jericho, it must have seemed intimidating, the walls surrounding the city were so wide that chariots rode on top. But Joshua trusted in the Lord, and he knew that his God was much bigger than those walls. God instructed the Israelites to have seven priests carry trumpets in front of the ark. The armies of Israel would follow the ark of the Lord, and they would circle the city once for six days, and on the seventh day they would circle the city seven times. When the priests would do a long blast on the trumpets, the armies of Israel would give a loud shout, and the walls would collapse, and the armies would go in. In the same way that Joshua trusted in the Lord for victory over his enemies, we should also have faith that our God is bigger than the walls of fear, doubt, or sin, in our lives. Let us also shout in faith and bring those strongholds down!  

Many Christians feel unworthy or incapable of ministering for Christ, therefore they limit their spiritual potential. Satan's desire is to establish walls or mountains of fear or doubt in our minds to render us useless for the kingdom of God. Quite often people that we know will discourage us from pursuing a ministry that God desires to use us in. The key to being effective for God is to conquer our fears with faith, as well as to bring every thought captive into the obedience of Christ. The entire world is a mission field, and a person does not need a degree in theology in order to share their faith. The other day, I was going for a walk with our dog, and I stopped to visit with a man on the trail. I used the opportunity to share my faith. My wife and I have also witnessed to people in Wal-Mart, grocery stores and elsewhere. I always pray that the Lord will bring divine appointments my way. If you are willing to be used by the Lord, he will use you according to your level of faith.

(2 Corinthians 10: 3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 

Not only are there spiritual strongholds within our minds, but there are also strongholds of sin that will jeopardize our relationship with God. Many people within the churches struggle with addictions to alcohol, pornography, cigarettes etc. and deliverance seems impossible to them. But with God all things are possible, and by relying on the power of God's Holy Spirit accompanied with faith, a person can be set free from all types of bondages. Fasting, accompanied with prayer, is a powerful weapon against sinful bondages. When a person goes on a fast, they are giving something up to show God how serious they are about their prayers. Fasting is normally the giving up of food for a period of time, but it may also include giving up anything that you enjoy, in order to seek God for a breakthrough. When Christ's disciples could not cast out demons they asked Christ, why.  He replied, "This kind only comes out with prayer and fasting."(see Matthew 17:14-21) Fasting is a time-honored principle that will bring results to seemingly impossible situations. 
 

(Joshua 6:1-27) Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.

And the Lord said unto Joshua, "See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor. And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him...

And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed on before the Lord, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed them... 

And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, "Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout."

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, "Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city..."

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... So the Lord was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country.

Let the Strongholds Fall (Song)

Written by Me

This is a song I wrote when Mel and I were praying about the strongholds in our lives. It goes well with the above article on Joshua written by my husband.

Although I have written many poems, I have not put actual music to them in about 21 years. However, when I was praying alone, the words and music just poured out of me, and I wrote this in about five minutes. When I say, "wrote a song", that is quite an understatement; I do NOT mean I composed a piece of music, just a basic tune in my head.

Let the Strongholds Fall

Let the strongholds fall,

Let the storm be still,

Let the heavens call,

Lord, we’ll do Your will.

Let the trumpet sound,

Let the angels sing,

Let the enemy be bound,

Let Your fire rain.

Lord, we hear Your voice,

We will worship You,

And with all our hearts,

Let our praise be true.

Let Your Spirit come

Purify our hearts,

May our hands be clean

As we bow our knees.

Lord, we seek Your face,

Lord we humbly pray,

May You send us out,

Let us work Your fields

Let the strongholds fall,

Let the storm be still,

Let the heavens call,

Lord, we’ll do Your will.

Let the trumpet sound,

Let the angels sing,

Let the enemy be bound,

Let Your fire rain.

-Julie 11/22/17