The Jordan River Rules Week 10

The Jordan River Rules: Week 10

8/6/2024

We are thrilled to have you join us! Every Tuesday morning at 9:00, now until August 6, we'll gather for a Summer Book Club-Style Bible Study. As a community of like-minded followers of Jesus Christ, we'll share our journeys, support each other, and find encouragement together.

Our focus will be on studying 10 God-given strategies for moving forward, as outlined in "The Jordan River Rules." Each week, we’ll explore one rule and discuss it in the comment section. If you haven't yet grabbed the book, you can get your copy here.

Can't make it on Tuesday mornings at 9:00? No problem! You can participate anytime during the week at your convenience. Simply read the week’s chapter and the corresponding blog post, then join the discussion in the comments. Don’t forget to invite a friend to join us! We look forward to growing together in faith!

WEEK 10: Encircle Obstacles with Biblical Faith and Shout the Victory

“Then Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the Ark of the Lord. And the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the Ark of the Lord walked on, and they blew the trumpets continually. And the armed men were walking before them, and the rear guard was walking after the Ark of the Lord, while the trumpets blew continually.” Joshua 6:12-13

As we come to the end of our study and the breaking down of Jericho, we wrap up a guide to conquering our own Jericho and the obstacles life throws our way.

What's keeping you awake at night? Hindering your success? Blocking your way at work or home? That's your Jericho. In chapter ten of The Jordan River Rules, author Robert Morgan recalls his first visit to Jericho, the City of Palms. As he crested a mountain top, the city unfolded before him like a putting green in the middle of a giant sand trap. That's Jericho, the world's lowest city. It stands nearly a thousand feet below sea level, surviving in the harsh Judean Desert with arid mountains and the Dead Sea as its companions.

The Secrets of Jericho's Survival: Jericho's survival secret lies in a marvelous aquifer producing a thousand gallons of water per minute, fostering ideal conditions for agriculture. It's the oldest continuously-inhabited city globally, with archaeological ruins representing eleven thousand years of history. Today, a sprawling Palestinian town, Jericho is renowned for citrus products and Dead Sea cosmetics.

Jericho—A Formidable Barrier: In biblical history, Jericho became a formidable barrier for the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land. Its double walls on a terraced incline made it seemingly impregnable. The road to Jerusalem, known as the Jericho Road, represented the primary route into the interior of the land. It was a significant challenge standing between Joshua and the fulfillment of God's promise.

Divine Techniques for Impregnable Walls: Facing an impregnable city, God demonstrated His ability to pierce through the impossible. God's unconventional methods often defy human understanding. The problems in our lives, those seemingly insurmountable obstacles, are arenas where God reveals His strange grace and mysterious mercy. Victory comes not from our own schemes but from cooperating with God's plans in His way and time.

Cooperating with God's Plan—The Joy Ridderhof Story: I loved reading the Joy Ridderhof story. As founder of Gospel Recordings, she faced numerous challenges in the early days of the organization. In a critical moment, they needed to expand their base in Los Angeles, and a property became available. Despite a significant shortfall in funds, Joy instructed her team to follow the Jericho pattern, citing Joshua 3:5. Encircling their obstacle in prayer for seven days, they witnessed a miraculous provision of funds from an unexpected legacy, securing the property.

Shofar, So Good—The Battle of Jericho: The biblical account of Jericho's conquest reveals a peculiar strategy. According to Joshua's instructions, the Israelites, in parade formation, circled the city every day for six days, followed by seven silent marches on the seventh day. The shofars (ram's horns) echoed, and the shout of victory resulted in the collapse of Jericho's walls.

Encircling Your Obstacle—A Spiritual Blueprint:
How can we apply the Jericho pattern to our challenges?

Encircle with Power: Acknowledge the presence of God in your midst. His power is the source of victory.
Encircle with Prayer: Fix your thoughts on the Commander, keeping your heart tuned to His frequency. Prayer is a powerful weapon!
Encircle with Promises: Trust in God's promises. Faith in His greatness triumphs over the size of your problem.
Encircle with Perseverance: Consistency is key. Persevere in your journey, even if it seems long. Victory comes through endurance.
Encircle with Praise: Combine God's presence, prayer, promises, and perseverance with praise. Create a vibration of victory that breaks down walls.

The Power of a Shout: The shout of victory, like the shofar's blast, permeates the atmosphere with praise. Shout to the Lord when emerging from the wilderness, crossing the Jordan, entering a new stage, or when obstacles block your path. The Bible encourages us to shout for joy, emphasizing the importance of praise in our journey of faith.

Try Shouting Now! When was the last time you shouted? Shout to the Lord with thanksgiving, triumphantly singing His praise. Encircle your obstacles with biblical faith, shout the victory, and move forward in Jesus' name to possess the promised land assigned for His glory. Break down the walls of your Jericho and embrace the triumph that awaits you!

“Our obstacles are God’s opportunities, and they must be encircled…. with biblical weapons intended for the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4)....Pastor Dudley Rutherford wrote, 'I believe this notable city met its ultimate demise because a group of faithful men and women placed their focus and trust on the greatness of their God rather than the size of their problem.'” —Robert Morgan

I love this quote: “God's unconventional methods often defy human understanding. The problems in our lives, those seemingly insurmountable obstacles, are arenas where God reveals His strange grace and mysterious mercy.” Isn't it the truth!!

How have you seen God's unconventional methods at work in your own life?

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