Every Monday evening at 8:30 p.m., the walls of my house begin to vibrate. Far from any earthquake tremors, my house instead responds to the sound of my husband and the young men in his small group as they begin their time of worship in song. As I sit upstairs, I love to hear their deep voices resonating throughout the house. It’s the sound of strength.
Worship is powerful, and the book of Acts (Acts 16:16-26) records how Paul and Silas—in prison for preaching and practicing the freedom of Christ—faced their chains with God’s worthiness on their tongues. Consequently, the very earth responded, demonstrating that our worship of the one true God breaks the strongholds of darkness in our lives.
But it wasn’t the first time God brought down the walls.
The city of Jericho’s fallen barriers have become a well-known symbol of what can be done through the power of praise and obedience (Joshua 6:1-20). Ironically, though, the day the walls came down wasn’t the only time the Israelites had been in the area. Numbers 22 tells of the first generation of Israelites who came out of Egypt and who, at one point, camped with only a river between them and the city. Sadly, the victory was not to be theirs.
Balak could rage and demand that they be cursed, but even a king bent on their destruction could not undo the promises of God for their lives. Their downfall was much simpler. They gave in to seduction and then succumbed to the worship of self (Numbers 25:1-3).
More than a physical river to stop them, they were denied the promise because of their refusal to be led by the Spirit of God. The choice is ours: Will we be driven by our flesh or watch the miraculous unfold as walls fall?
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Romans 5:1-11
More:
Read Genesis 22:1-18 to see how Abraham’s worship was an important step in the fulfillment of God’s promise for his life.
Next:
Why is our worship so powerful? What steps do you need to take to refuse temptation? How can your worship change any “Jericho” situations you’re facing?
Gene on November 20, 2012 at 7:36 am
Thanks Regina for writing about this Old Testament story that is very relevant for today. We (me) are very much like the Israelites and become seduced by the world in spite of the huge victories He has given us. Your point about worship helping us to walk in the Spirit and stay in fellowship is so important.
regina franklin on November 23, 2012 at 1:20 am
Dear Gene,
We underestimate the depth of men when we set the bar too low by thinking that Christian men will not want to gather to worship and be discipled outside of the context of some cultural standard of entertainment. I look forward to seeing what the Lord will continue to do in raising up men who love Him with strength and boldness.
tom felten on November 20, 2012 at 9:14 am
Good insights, Regina. The worship of self will ultimately lead to destruction. The worship of God leads to real life.
regina franklin on November 23, 2012 at 1:22 am
Thanks, Tom. Every day, every moment, becomes an opportunity to love Him well.
daisymarygoldr on November 22, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Good post, Regina! Lest we think the walls of Jericho was brought down by resonance effect of vibrations caused by the Israelites’ trumpeting, the Bible reminds us that “it was by faith… the walls came crashing down” (Hebrews 11:30).
Why is our worship so powerful? Praise and worship is an expression of our faith. To thank the Lord for past blessings is gratitude. And to thank Him before the blessings materialize— is faith. Faith pleases God and so He delights to dwell in the devotion and love of His children.
Happy Thanksgiving!
regina franklin on November 23, 2012 at 1:24 am
Praise and worship also becomes a statement of our love for Him, a recognition that He exists far beyond what we could ever imagine or create on our own. He is our God, and He is worthy of our strongest affections.
winn collier on November 27, 2012 at 4:11 pm
I love that God gave Israel a second chance.