Reminders are Important

Reading: Joshua 4 and 5

In these chapters, we see the importance of reminders. The stones were set to mark this moment's significance for this and future generations. They remind us that when we face greater Jordans ahead, God is faithful and will always remain so. Before you step into new territory, what will you do to create a memorial that will endure for generations to come?

The priests remained in the Jordan right until the very end, carrying the Ark. They were the first in and the last out. They entered the very waters where John the Baptist would later baptise many. Anyone looking to grow in the realm of serving the LORD and leading others should take note: they are first to believe, first to carry, first to walk ahead of others, and last to leave!

The Ark always represented the presence of God. Never forget that God has made you a great promise—He said He will never leave you and is always with you. Knowing this, we should constantly seek the active presence of God.

When we are fully surrendered to Him, we are ready to be useful servants in His hands. Honour your times with the Lord. There is no place like the place of worship and intimacy with Him.

We may not need to physically remove our shoes as Joshua did, but we should remove any casual attitude towards holy things.

Something truly ground-breaking was taking place. The Passover feast was eaten the day after they ate the produce of Canaan. Then the manna stopped after forty years of sustaining them in the desert. For many, manna had been all they knew—and now they would never see it again.

We remember that the last time they celebrated Passover was on the night they left Egypt. On that night, the smell of roast lamb hung heavy in the air—a smell of great comfort to Israel but terror to the Egyptians. Now, as tens of thousands celebrated the Passover, that familiar smell filled the air once more. God, the mighty Deliverer, was about to move with His people. What God had done before, He would do again.

Remember the victories God has given you. Write them down, give thanks for them, and be encouraged—there’s more to come.

Meditation

1. What memorial stones do you have in your life to remind you of all that God has done for you and your family?

2. How will you change your spiritual diet in the coming weeks to enable greater victory this year than ever before?

On the night He was betrayed, Jesus stopped the Passover and began communion—the breaking of bread. Perhaps you might want to start breaking bread with your spouse or family every day as you move forward.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for all You have done for me. As I look back, I can truly see so much of Your faithfulness. Help me, like the twelve men who took stones to remember Your mighty acts, to recall Your goodness through all the ups and downs of my life.

Lord, I thank You for guiding me on this journey of prayer and fasting so far. Please help me to continue and deepen my relationship with You in profound ways. Speak to me—I want to hear Your voice clearly. I ask this in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

What’s Blocking You?

Reading: Joshua 6 and 7

In our story, Joshua encounters the Commander of the Lord’s army. How encouraging this must have been! The significance of this encounter is clear: the Lord Himself will fight for you. Something huge is happening—tectonic plates are shifting all around. The people of Jericho are terrified and shut themselves inside their city.

What is God asking Joshua and the people to do to see a breakthrough through the impenetrable walls of Jericho? He instructs them to surround the city and march around it with a ram’s horn trumpet. Each day they are to march and carry the trumpet, and finally, on the seventh day, to blow the trumpets and shout!

May you recognise that as you live your life obediently to the Lord, God is God—He doesn't need our expertise, knowledge, wisdom, gifts, talent, charisma, or service, but rather our obedience to His strategy.

God calls us to a life of faith and trust. In chapter 7, we see that thirty-six men died because of one man—Achan—who took what did not belong to him. God was giving them the entire Promised Land, and all that was in it, BUT the first part of the spoils of the first city belonged to the Lord.

Today, ask the Lord to highlight areas of your life where your priorities may need adjusting—in your time, finances, or even your gifts. Are we truly making them available to Him on His terms, not ours? He will reveal these areas so we can address them and, in doing so, be propelled into a season of unprecedented breakthrough.

Ask Him now to shine His spotlight on any area where you may be tempted to hold back, refuse to release, or take for yourself what rightfully belongs to Him. Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33: when we seek God and His kingdom FIRST, all other things come our way.

Meditation

1. Consider the walls of Jericho—ask the LORD to demolish those immovable walls in your life that have hindered you for years. His power is more than enough. Can you identify these walls? Can you envision them coming down?

2. Consider Achan—are you surprised that one person’s attitudes and actions could affect those around them, as in this story? Achan’s family was destroyed because of his attitude and actions. Determine to lead your family towards the things of God—not away from them. Reflect on this and seek God’s power for your future.

Prayer

Dear Lord Almighty, please help me to recognise that You are able to demolish walls that have stood for generations. As I journey through these seven days of prayer and fasting, I ask that You break down every stronghold in my life that has long resisted change.

Lord, help me to take every thought captive and bring it into obedience to Christ. Thank You for paying the price for my rebellious sins and for accepting me in Your sight. I am eternally grateful that You tore down the wall that once separated me from You and opened heaven for me to walk in with full confidence before You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.