As Israel entered the Promised Land, they faced the walled city of Jericho, which looked to be impossible to penetrate and conquer. At God’s command, they marched around it every day for a week; perhaps we can view this action as claiming it for their territory, even while the fearful and seeming impossible feat of conquering it loomed before them. They were told not to speak a word or make any sound with their voice until instructed to do so, when the moment of victory arrived (Joshua 6:10). Maybe if they had spoken in the face of such insurmountable odds, it would have been words of doubt and fear. A principle we can draw from this is, “if you can’t speak words of faith, then don’t speak” at all! Words can set the stage for bondage or freedom; the Bible says they activate death or life (Proverbs 18:21). Jesus said they bring justification or condemnation (Matthew 12:37). Words can build faith or promote doubt, and where doubt and fear prevail, the power of God and His word are held at bay, as illustrated in Matthew 13:58, “Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” The Psalmist declared in 119:46, “I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.” Joshua was instructed not to let the word of God depart from his mouth, that is not to forget it or to cease confessing it; rather, he should meditate on it day and night (Joshua 1:8). Meditation from a Jewish perspective would include repeating the words in a low tone, like under the breath, in a mumble or mutter. Keep God’s word before your eyes and on your tongue. In Jeremiah 1:12, God said, “I am ready to perform My word” which, in the original language, means He is awake, alert, watching, and anticipating performing it. His word “is living and powerful” (Hebrews 4:12), and speaking it with our voice from the heart aligns us with His will, activating the power within it (Psalm 119:154, 170; 1 John 5:14), and remember, His word is His will.
Do Not Doubt
-By Rose Hill
O, you of little faith why did you doubt?
Don’t you know what My kingdom is all about?
If your trust is firm and on Me you rely,
You don’t have to worry and fret and sigh.
Ask what you will and you will receive,
If only you trust Me and truly believe.
You must not waver or hesitate,
For then your answer will surely be late.
If you are like the sea by the wind tossed,
Then Your blessings from God will all be lost.
But you must ask without any doubt,
If you don’t ask in faith you must do without.
Scripture references: Matthew 8:26; 14:31; Luke 24:38; James 1:6-7.