Shout Heard Round the World

Based on Joshua 4-6

So the promise passed on....and Joshua and God's people were about to approach Jericho. But Jericho was blocked off by a huge wall! Wait, this was the promised land? Why didn't God just give it to them without a fight? Well, if victory is going to be our lifestyle, then there are some battles we are going to have to win & things we will have to overcome! This will build confidence in us and be a witness to our enemies! This shout of victory was not going to be ordinary-it was going to break some barriers and be a historical landmark of hope for those up against walls everywhere! It was a shout for people to trust in The Lord!

"And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?"

"That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord , that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever."

Joshua 4:21‭, ‬24

Before finally coming to Jericho, the Israelites had to finish passing over Jordan. Every little step was a victory & worth being remembered on their way to the true promise! God told them to set up 12 stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel. Not only would these 12 stones be a reminder to the Israelities of where they'd been, but it would speak to the generations following which would ask about it! God's Word stands the test of time!

"And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rearward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets. 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." Joshua 6:9‭-‬10

An angel of The Lord's army appeared to Joshua & gave him specific instructions on how to be victorious while up against this big wall. Joshua passed those instructions to the Israelites. 7 days of marching, and 7 times around the city on the last day, and then a shout-and that shout would bring down the walls of Jericho!

"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." Joshua 6:16

...And it really was a shout heard round the world! To this day, we read about this great victory. Each one of those steps around the city was crucial in the process to victory. We can't discount the small steps of obedience which we take. It all leads to a shout of victory which will ring in the ears of many people-it's called our testimony! Our witness to others that God brought us to our promised land! It may not seem like we are there yet, but again, keep the small stuff in mind. Keep relying on God, and show others the peace & joy which comes your way!

"And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the Lord : only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent." Joshua 6:17

Of course, Rahab & her family were saved since they hid the spies! How awesome it must have been to be spared at a time like that! She knew about the spies before they arrived, and she trusted God would use them to save her & her family. There was a shout given to her before the final shout to get on The Lord's side, and thankfully she obeyed! We must listen to the ones who encourage us in The Lord. We must stay faithful even in the most challenging times!

"So the Lord was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country."
Joshua 6:27

ANOTHER SHOUT IN THE AFTERMATH OF A SHOUTED VICTORY! Joshua's fame was noised throughout all the country! And not just that, but the shout keeps circulating, even to us today! Even the story of those stones in the beginning is being passed down through generations. What we do for God is not in vain! He has a message behind all the milestones we come to, we just have to trust God for a victory!