Week 12
“Have your army march around the city once each day for six days. Have seven priests walk before the ark, each with a trumpet made from a male sheep’s horn. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, and have the priests blow the trumpets. They will make a long blast with the ram’s horn. When they hear that sound, have the people give a loud shout. Then the city wall will fall flat, and the people will walk into the city.” —Josh. 6:3–5
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” —John 10:27
It’s one thing to receive a calling—it’s another to accept and obey God’s plan for carrying it out.
In today’s first reading, God gives Joshua incredibly specific instructions to take the city of Jericho. Joshua doesn’t strategize based on military logic. He listens, obeys, and trusts. And because the plan is from God, it succeeds.
Too often, Christians make their own plans, then ask God to bless those plans, but they have the process reversed. True discipleship means listening first, receiving God’s instructions, then moving forward in obedience.
You can expect God to give you clarity and confirmation along the way. And you can be sure he will bless the work he has assigned and instructed.
Reflection Questions
Have you experienced the Lord giving you plans? If so, how did he reveal them to you?
Did you let him bless his own plans by partnering with him in carrying those plans out?
Lord, what are you teaching me in today’s reading?
Lord, what else have you said to me through thoughts, circumstances, conversations, emotions, or the work of the enemy?
Lord, what do you want me to do: At home? At work? In ministry?