06 Nov You Are Closer Than You Think

If you are someone who is waiting on the Lord for breakthrough you could probably agree that if you knew when your wait was going to end your wait wouldn’t be as hard or painful. Whenever Colby and I are in the car, I tend to act like a child with my “How much longer?” question. “How much longer? How much further? I thought by now we would be there.” Can you relate to these thoughts? I thought by now I would have the answer to my prayer. I thought by now my request would be answered. I thought by now I would have my baby or my husband or my house or my job or my healing.

Let me encourage you today that you are closer than you think! This sermon shared from Joshua 6:1-17 on this topic. As Joshua’s army marched around the walls Joshua knew exactly how many laps he would have to take. He knew after 13 times of marching around the walls, the walls would come down. How did He know? Because the Lord told him. However, Joshua didn’t relay that message to the rest of the army. He just told them to march. What if they had quit on the 12^th lap? What if they didn’t realize how close they were to their breakthrough and would have given up?

So what do you do when your situation looks impossible and you still haven’t received your promise? In this passage it was easy for Joshua to look up and be intimated by the walls surrounding him. But, when He focused on the task given to Him and marched forward as instructed, the walls came down. How different would your journey be if you stopped looking at the walls and the problem in front of you and started looking at God? God has purpose in your wait so don’t miss out on what He is doing in your life because you are too focused on your problem. Instead, spend time praising Him and turn your focus from your problems to Him.

The walls didn’t come down the first time Joshua marched, but it took 13 times. Despite your faith and obedience you might not receive your results right away either. Just as He did for Joshua, when God gives you a promise He is going to give you a plan, so while outcome is God’s responsibility, obedience to His plan is yours. All Joshua had to do was follow God’s instructions to march and as promised in verse 5, when he did, the Lord would bring the walls down. Even if you have been obedient and seen no changes, keep on marching.

What motivates you to keep marching? Remember, just like Joshua’s prayers were pre-approved, so are yours! In Joshua 6:2, the Lord told Joshua the battle was already over! The confidence that Joshua had when he entered the battle is the same confidence you have access to today! From a human perspective your battle might be impossible, but from God’s perspective the battle has already been won!

So, will you continue to march even when your walls haven’t come down? Will you pray even when your prayers aren’t answered? Just because nothing tangible is happening doesn’t mean nothing is happening in you. Your victory is right around the corner. Don’t give up! You might be on your 1st lap and you might be on your 12th lap, but no matter what you are closer than you think. The walls WILL come down!

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