Are You Climbing the Walls?

I do not rock climb. Oh, no. The thought of scaling walls towering above makes my hands sweat just thinking about it. I can’t say I’ve even faced the opportunity. Yet I have faced many a proverbial brick wall, those insurmountable situations that leave you feeling helpless. The “no way out and no way in” circumstances that seem impossible and impassable. Ever been there? Maybe you are at the base of such a wall right now.

I recently read a similar scene in Joshua chapter 6. Picture this situation:

Verse 1: “Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred. No one went out and no one came in. “

Verse 2: “Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.”

Looking at these portions of scriptures like a snapshot, I find them ironic! I see Joshua staring up at the walled city of Jericho looming high above his head. Gate. Shut. Tight. Then God saying, “Yeah, no problem here. I got this.”

Wait, what? From all appearances this is an impossible situation! Joshua is supposed to lead the Israelites into that city!

Now let’s zoom out the picture for a moment. Looking back into the books of Joshua and Deuteronomy we see the power of God, His faithfulness in many “impossible” situations and His very presence all throughout the Israelite’s journey. Joshua experienced firsthand God’s miraculous work in the parting of the Red Sea, providing His people with manna, quail, and water, just to name a few.

Looking ahead, we know Jericho is part of the promised land, so that’s hopeful. And of course, we can zoom out far enough to take in the rest of the story. God’s specific and unique tactical plans for taking the city are Hollywood-epic-worthy and certainly worthy of our awe and trust in His power. (Read about them in Joshua 6!)

Friends, we can face our walls the same way.

Look back at His fingerprints in your life. Remember the times when He showed His mighty power and brought you through difficult trials. If you journal, it makes this step easier! Reading through my journals, I recall long forgotten God moments and reminds me of many answered prayers. It’s my personal testimony of God’s unique and unexpected strategies for my own Jericho walls!

Now look ahead. Can you see the future? Of course not. But God can and does and IS already there! We know from the Bible that He has a plan and a future for us. I guarantee that plan never involves abandoning you at the base of your greatest wall. NEVER. But don’t take my word for it:

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than wall we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20)

“…with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

I wonder what wall you are facing today.Is “the thing” the only thing in your line of sight? You know… if you zoom out… the entire picture, including your wall, becomes smaller, and with God in the picture, that wall is no longer impossible or impassible. Instead of just looking up, also look back, look ahead and know He’s got this.