Monthly Archives: October 2026

37b BY THE WAY…WHAT IS “THE POWER OF SILENCE”?

Bible Study, ,

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: …a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬, ‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The counterpart to what Jesus did with words is what we do with our words. Did Solomon connect “a time to tear and a time to mend” specifically with “a time to be silent and a time to speak”? 

Unlike Jesus, we humans use words carelessly because we do not understand the power God has placed in our mouths, either to tear or to mend. 

The Bible is full of both warnings about the damage our words can do and encouragement to use our words to benefit others. Such is the power of our words that we can influence people for life by what we say. 

This is a very big topic…so, I can only present it in summary form. 

What does the Bible say about the human tongue? 

A. The tongue has the power to do good or evil. 

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As a child, I used to chant…

“Sticks and stones can break my bones

But names can never hurt me!”

How false that turned out to be!

B. The tongue (a euphemism for speech) is an untameable, unruly and dangerous organ in the body. 

The first thing we must recognise and acknowledge is that every tongue is a wrecking ball in the mouth of every person. 

The instruction, therefore, is to guard out tongues. 

“We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.”

‭‭James‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…but is this possible?…

The Bible’s diagnosis is accurate. 

“All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

Horses can be trained and 

ships steered, but…

“…the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”

‭‭James‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ NIV

C. The tongue exposes our hypocrisy

“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out  of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

‭‭James‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…forked, like the tongue of a serpent. 

Left unchecked, this is what the tongue is and what the tongue does.

What are the consequences of an untamed tongue?

Even if we are not aware of it, what we say has both temporal and eternal consequences…

A. The words we speak reveal who we really are. 

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭45‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A person who makes vile accusations about another person thinks he/she is revealing the wickedness of another, not realising that his/her own heart is on display. 

B. Our words expose the guilt of our sinful hearts…

“But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NIV‬

What we say exposes the evil in our hearts. What we say confirms what we are. 

C. We are accountable for what we say. 

“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty (useless, unemployed, lazy) word they have spoken.”

D. God will judge us by what we have said. 

“For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭36‬-‭37‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Why will God judge us by our own words? 

Although Jesus did not specifically state the reason…we can deduce from other things He said about our words, that what we say clearly reveals who and what we are. We put our own hearts in the spotlight by our words. 

How can we protect ourselves from God’s judgement? Did Jesus mean that we can lose our salvation by what we say?

First, let me state categorically that what Jesus said has nothing to do with our salvation. If it did, our words could cancel what Jesus did on the cross for us. 

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We must examine Jesus’ statement in context. 

“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭33‬-‭37‬ ‭NIV‬‬

To whom was Jesus speaking? Not to His followers but to His opponents. 

“But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Pharisees had just accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Jesus pointed out that this was ridiculous. No divided household can survive.

Then Jesus warned the Pharisees about blasphemy…deliberately attributing to Satan what the Holy Spirit was doing…which is exactly what they had just said. 

Just as the fruit that grows on a tree reveals the nature of the tree, so also the words that come from the mouth reveals the nature of the heart. The Pharisees spoke rotten words because their hearts were rotten. This would be their judgment. 

What is the antidote to a defiled heart? To produce words that heal, first, we need s new heart. 

A. A divine heart transplant. 

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭36‬:‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

B. A disciplined mind

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Just as what we say reveals our hearts, so what we think is what we become. 

C. A protected mouth

“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭141‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We are responsible for thoughtful, careful words. By God’s grace,  we can control what comes out of our mouths. Silence has great power when used strategically. 

D. A rejoicing, prayerful, thankful heart

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Fortified with a new heart and a renewed spirit, a mind filled with

wholesome thoughts, and a mouth full of joy, prayer, and gratitude…God’s judgment cannot fall on you because these are the fruit of a renewed, redeemed heart and a life that mirrors what is in the heart. 

37a BY THE WAY…WHAT IS “THE POWER OF SILENCE”?

Christian Life, ,

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:… a time to tear and a time to mend,a time to be silent and a time to speak,”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬, ‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God’s Word has much to say about words…God’s words…and our words. 

First…God’s words are…

Flawless

“And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭12‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Eternal

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Wise

“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Powerful

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Creative

“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭33‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Teach

Correct

Rebuke

Train

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Purify

“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭9 NIV‬‬

Protect

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

Psalm 119:11 NIV

Guide

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭105‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Save

“…and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

2 Timothy 3:15 NIV

Liberate

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭NIV

Sanctify

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Wow! If God’s word is and does all this and more, why do I write about the power of silence? 

The more I study the Word of God, the more I recognise how much power is in the spoken word. God’s words are creative, powerful, and energising. He does everything through His Word. 

“…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?” “I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied. The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.””

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The greatest truth of all is that Jesus Himself is the Word made flesh. 

Jesus sustains the universe by His Word. He saves, heals, and restores through His Word. When He returns, He will purify the earth with His Word, set up His kingdom and accomplish all that the Word of God has even spoken through Him. 

Jesus’ entire mission was built on the Father’s Word. 

“I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.””

‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.”

‭‭John‬ ‭5‬:‭30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.”

‭‭John‬ ‭12‬:‭49‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus had a disciplined tongue…speaking only truth, and using His words to benefit all people, even, and especially those who spoke against Him. 

How, then, did Jesus use the power of silence, especially when He was under pressure to defend Himself, His person and His ministry? 

Jesus’ silence was strategic. There were times when He was being put to the test by His opponents, for example, the incident recorded in John 8…the woman caught in adultery…to incriminate Himself. His accusers put pressure on Him to respond…but He said nothing. 

“They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger…Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.”

‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭6‬, ‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus’ action spoke louder than words. He wrote verses from Jeremiah on the ground that His enemies, well versed in the Scriptures, knew full well. 

“I, the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” …Lord, you are the hope of Israel; all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the Lord, the spring of living water.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭10‬, ‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

He let God’s word speak, and in doing so, vindicated His refusal to condemn the woman. 

Jesus’ silence was also a refusal The walls of Jericho presented a formidable obstacle to God’s  promise…”I have given you the land…” The Israelites could see them from the banks of the Jordan river…thick, high, and impenetrable. They had no equipment for a siege…no battle strategy…no trained soldiers…only a mob of runaway ex-slaves freshly out of forty years in the wilderness!

The process of crossing the Jordan, and finally setting up camp outside Jericho took weeks…maybe months…to complete…including building a memorial of stones in the middle of the Jordan river, circumcising all the second-generation male Israelites at Gilgal, and celebrating the Passover…

Then what? The one thing Joshua had at that moment was God’s authorisation and His promise. 

“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…but no strategy…and a formidable city blocking their way!

God’s equipment for the battle was strange…unusual…given to Joshua piece by piece. 

THE PRINCIPLE

“I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you—”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭

The promise was still there, first given to Moses…now repeated to Joshua. He, Joshua, was to carry the authority given to Moses, to execute God’s plan but…he must first be equipped with God’s Word, deeply embedded in his soul. 

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The principle is clear. 

No one can accomplish a task given by God without first being absolutely confident of who gave the instruction and how that instruction is to be carried out. Prayer, for any reason, can only be true prayer if it stands firmly on the authority of the one to whom Joshua prays. His confidence must be firmly embedded in the word of the one who had commissioned him. 

THE PRESENCE

Joshua stood outside Jericho, looking up at the walls. What was he thinking? “How on earth are we, a mob of ex-slaves, supposed to conquer this city?”

Before Joshua could embark on the formidable task of destroying Jericho, he had to know who was in charge. This was not his campaign. It was God’s campaign through Joshua and he must be sure of it. 

On the eve of the attack, God met him in person…a man with a drawn sword. Who was the man? From where did he come? Why was he there? 

“When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?” “Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.” At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?” The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did as he was told.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A shocking…a terrifying response…it was the Lord Himself…in person…to take charge…with a message and a reassurance. Just what Joshua needed! 

“But the Lord said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors.”

Jesus, the Lord, had come Himself to lead the campaign. His presence guaranteed the outcome. He was already there!Unseen, but present, nothing could stand in His way. 

That’s all the assurance Joshua needed. He could confidently give the instructions, knowing that, however bizarre they might sound in a situation like they faced, victory was sure. 

THE PREPARATION

As we move through the stages of this battle to victory, the more we become aware that the battle they were about to engage in was more than natural. Soldiers don’t normally go to war with trumpets and shouts for weapons, and sure of victory before they even set out!

“Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns.”

What was that supposed to do? Why priests? Why the Ark? Why march around the city for six days? Why seven times on the seventh day? 

It all sounds so crazy…until you view it from God’s perspective.  Intimidating the enemy? Staking their claim to the city? Consolidating their faith in God? Believing the promise already given? Perhaps all of these things were formed in them as they marched. God needed time to settle their fears and arouse their expectations. This strategy was all about careful preparation. 

THE PROCLAMATION

“On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams’ horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can.”

The trumpet blast and the shout triggered the collapse of the walls. Why?

This shout was not about people yelling to make a noise. This was the specific way to welcome the arrival of a conquering king. The Israelites were to acknowledge  the arrival of their Lord who had already assured them of victory. The walls simply collapsed at the presence of the commander of the Lord’s army. 

THE PRIZE

“Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭6‬:‭2‬, ‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God and His people, working in obedience to His instructions and in tandem with Him, were a winning team. Everything happened just as He had promised. All they had to do was to was to finish what they had started together. 

The principles in this story are clear. Whatever “walls” block the way to possession of your “territory”, the steps to answered prayer are the same. 

God’s Word, in all the facets of its truth, must be the ground on which you stand. 

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This is God’s battle. You are not in charge. Jesus is “the commander of the Lord’s army”. He gives the strategy and the instructions. Ask Him for the word that the outcome promises. 

“Then the Lord said to me, “Look, Jeremiah! What do you see?” And I replied, “I see a branch from an almond tree.” And the Lord said, “That’s right, and it means that I am watching, and I will certainly carry out all my plans.””

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

His presence is the fundamental fact in your enterprise. Without Him, you can do nothing. 

““Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Wait for Him to act. Time is the opportunity to build unwavering confidence in Him and His promise. Time is not delay but part of the strategy. “God will not answer your prayers until He has put all the structures in place to maintain that answer.”

Affirm His Lordship with the shout of victory. Welcome Him…He is there. He is present with His authority and power to demolish the walls of resistance. Declare the victory with confidence. 

The prize is yours. You will see the “walls” collapse as He works out His victory over all the obstacles you have faced. 

On many occasions, Jesus’ silence was a refusal to defend Himself. His silence was both the fulfilment of prophecy…

“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭53‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…before the Sanhedrin…

“Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.”

…Pilate…

“But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…Herod…

“He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…and His resounding declaration the final nail in His coffin when He responded to a question He was under obligation to answer…

“Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭14‬:‭60‬-‭64‬

What do we make of Jesus’ refusal to reply, interspersed with answers to questions? He used both His words and His silence to move the process along to its predetermined end. 

To sum up, it seems that Jesus refused to waste words. He said nothing when He was falsely accused. He spoke God’s word into situations that required truth. 

For example…

“The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus’ words had both authority and power…

“If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.””

‭‭John‬ ‭12‬:‭47‬-‭50‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John put the person and work of Jesus in its perfect perspective… 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.”

‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus is the Word incarnate, in the fullest sense…God, eternal, creator, and life-giving. He is the embodiment of everything God said has to say to mankind. 

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

His silence had equal power…

“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…Therefore, Jesus used His words thoughtfully, carefully, skilfully, and strategically to accomplish the Father’s purpose on earth… both by what He said and by what He refused to say. 

36 BY THE WAY…WHY DID THE WALLS OF JERICHO FALL?

Prayer, ,

The walls of Jericho presented a formidable obstacle to God’s  promise…”I have given you the land…” The Israelites could see them from the banks of the Jordan river…thick, high, and impenetrable. They had no equipment for a siege…no battle strategy…no trained soldiers…only a mob of runaway ex-slaves freshly out of forty years in the wilderness!

The process of crossing the Jordan, and finally setting up camp outside Jericho took weeks…maybe months…to complete…including building a memorial of stones in the middle of the Jordan river, circumcising all the second-generation male Israelites at Gilgal, and celebrating the Passover…

Then what? The one thing Joshua had at that moment was God’s authorisation and His promise. 

“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…but no strategy…and a formidable city blocking their way!

God’s equipment for the battle was strange…unusual…given to Joshua piece by piece. 

THE PRINCIPLE

“I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you—”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭

The promise was still there, first given to Moses…now repeated to Joshua. He, Joshua, was to carry the authority given to Moses, to execute God’s plan but…he must first be equipped with God’s Word, deeply embedded in his soul. 

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The principle is clear. 

No one can accomplish a task given by God without first being absolutely confident of who gave the instruction and how that instruction is to be carried out. Prayer, for any reason, can only be true prayer if it stands firmly on the authority of the one to whom Joshua prays. His confidence must be firmly embedded in the word of the one who had commissioned him. 

THE PRESENCE

Joshua stood outside Jericho, looking up at the walls. What was he thinking? “How on earth are we, a mob of ex-slaves, supposed to conquer this city?”

Before Joshua could embark on the formidable task of destroying Jericho, he had to know who was in charge. This was not his campaign. It was God’s campaign through Joshua and he must be sure of it. 

On the eve of the attack, God met him in person…a man with a drawn sword. Who was the man? From where did he come? Why was he there? 

“When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?” “Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.” At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?” The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did as he was told.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A shocking…a terrifying response…it was the Lord Himself…in person…to take charge…with a message and a reassurance. Just what Joshua needed! 

“But the Lord said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors.”

Jesus, the Lord, had come Himself to lead the campaign. His presence guaranteed the outcome. He was already there!Unseen, but present, nothing could stand in His way. 

That’s all the assurance Joshua needed. He could confidently give the instructions, knowing that, however bizarre they might sound in a situation like they faced, victory was sure. 

THE PREPARATION

As we move through the stages of this battle to victory, the more we become aware that the battle they were about to engage in was more than natural. Soldiers don’t normally go to war with trumpets and shouts for weapons, and sure of victory before they even set out!

“Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns.”

What was that supposed to do? Why priests? Why the Ark? Why march around the city for six days? Why seven times on the seventh day? 

It all sounds so crazy…until you view it from God’s perspective.  Intimidating the enemy? Staking their claim to the city? Consolidating their faith in God? Believing the promise already given? Perhaps all of these things were formed in them as they marched. God needed time to settle their fears and arouse their expectations. This strategy was all about careful preparation. 

THE PROCLAMATION

“On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams’ horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can.”

The trumpet blast and the shout triggered the collapse of the walls. Why?

This shout was not about people yelling to make a noise. This was the specific way to welcome the arrival of a conquering king. The Israelites were to acknowledge  the arrival of their Lord who had already assured them of victory. The walls simply collapsed at the presence of the commander of the Lord’s army. 

THE PRIZE

“Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭6‬:‭2‬, ‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God and His people, working in obedience to His instructions and in tandem with Him, were a winning team. Everything happened just as He had promised. All they had to do was to was to finish what they had started together. 

The principles in this story are clear. Whatever “walls” block the way to possession of your “territory”, the steps to answered prayer are the same. 

God’s Word, in all the facets of its truth, must be the ground on which you stand. 

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This is God’s battle. You are not in charge. Jesus is “the commander of the Lord’s army”. He gives the strategy and the instructions. Ask Him for the word that the outcome promises. 

“Then the Lord said to me, “Look, Jeremiah! What do you see?” And I replied, “I see a branch from an almond tree.” And the Lord said, “That’s right, and it means that I am watching, and I will certainly carry out all my plans.””

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

His presence is the fundamental fact in your enterprise. Without Him, you can do nothing. 

““Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Wait for Him to act. Time is the opportunity to build unwavering confidence in Him and His promise. Time is not delay but part of the strategy. “God will not answer your prayers until He has put all the structures in place to maintain that answer.”

Affirm His Lordship with the shout of victory. Welcome Him…He is there. He is present with His authority and power to demolish the walls of resistance. Declare the victory with confidence. 

The prize is yours. You will see the “walls” collapse as He works out His victory over all the obstacles you have faced. 

35 BY THE WAY…WHY DID PETER LIVE AND JAMES DIE?

Bible Study, ,

Luke’s story of the birth and growth of the early church is a factual account of the very real warfare between the founding and growth of the church and the deadly opposition of religion and government. He told the story in honest detail as it happened. Some of the followers of Jesus prospered while others suffered…even to losing their lives. 

Two of Jesus disciples, Peter and James, got caught in the crosshairs of Jewish prejudice and Gentile hatred but…essentially…they did not break the law. The bottom line was their allegiance to Jesus as Lord that tipped the scales against them. Luke gives the details in simple language. 

Jewish prejudice…

“And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria…Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬, ‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Saul was a prominent religious figure who supported the Jewish authority…the Sanhedrin… who did his level best to stamp out the infant church. The killing of Stephen was a step forward in his campaign. His problem was that, like an oil fire which spreads when sprayed with water, persecution didn’t stop the spread of the church. It fuelled it!

Gentile hatred…

The campaign against the church had an ally in King Herod, whose strategy was to attack the leaders. James was arrested and summarily executed. Peter was next! 

Let’s stop there. Why did Jesus, Lord of the church, not intervene to save James? Why did He allow James to die…but rescued Peter? Was it because the church didn’t pray for James in time to save him? Peter had a miraculous escape from a maximum security jail when the church prayed! 

There is a powerful, unspoken detail in this story that we must take into account…the sovereignty of God. We can never speak for God if He has not spoken for Himself. We can speculate but, in the end, only God knows the inner workings of His perfect will.

What we can say, in answer to a puzzle like this one, is that death, for any believer is not the end but only the doorway into eternal bliss. Sometimes, the Father considers the premature death of one of His saints not a tragedy, but a seed…and necessary for the growth of His kingdom throughout the earth. 

Jesus viewed His own death as the planting of a seed. 

“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

‭‭John‬ ‭12‬:‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

For the Father, James’ work was done. He took His son home…violently, perhaps, but suddenly and quickly. 

For Peter, on the other hand, there was still work to do, suffering to endure, and a death to die that would glorify Jesus in the dying. Jesus had already indicated, in His encounter with Peter on the beach, that unnatural death awaited him at the end of his journey. 

“Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”

‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…no detail… just a preview and preparation. 

Even Tertullian, one of the early church fathers,  recognised this truth in the midst of severe persecution. 

“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church” is a famous, liberal translation of a statement written by the second-century Christian apologist Tertullian around A.D. 197.” (Google AI)

it is not our place to question what God allows. What Jesus said to Peter applies to us as well. 

“Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.””

‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭20‬-‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God is never obliged to answer any of our many “why’s?”, about ourselves or anyone else. Those are secrets God holds within Himself. Our response must be “what?” “What do you want me to  know…to do?”

In the end, what God does with each of His precious saints is none of our business. Far more important is what we do with our own. Jesus’ simple instruction to each one of us is…”You must follow me.”

34e BY THE WAY…JESUS PRAYED

Bible Study, ,

“After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father…”

‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭1‬a NIV‬‬

We cannot leave this prayer without taking a step back…looking at the whole prayer… and asking a question…

Was Jesus’ prayer an expansion of His teaching about prayer, an example of real prayer, a model to follow, or simply eavesdropping into His own one-on-one communion with the Father? It may have been a bit of everything but I suspect that Jesus, at the moment when what lay ahead of Him pressed in on Him, did what He always did…He turned to the Father. 

Father…”patyr” in Greek…not the intimate “Abba” word. Was He addressing His Father as the parent figure…the one who had authority over Him? Jesus’ humble submission to His Father shines through every word He spoke. Yes, He was the beloved Son. Yes, He was also God…equal with the Father and the Spirit but…at that moment, He was the submissive and obedient “Servant of Yahweh”…there to carry out a commission given to Him before time. He was under orders from headquarters. 

He was reporting for duty…as well as communing with the Father in detail, in intimate language, expressing His oneness with the Father as well as His confidence that He and the Father were on the same page…step by step…moment by moment…through every stage of the ordeal until its conclusion. 

Jesus not only committed the process to the Father. He also expressed both His desire and His confidence in the outcome…glory restored…disciples protected…His church across time unified, and encased in His glory and the Father’s love. 

Jesus, fully cooperating with the Father, assured the Father of His participation in the unfolding plan. He had revealed the Father to His disciples…given them His name… taught and protected them during His time with them…and handed them back to the Father prior to His departure. 

It seems that Jesus’ primary concern was for His disciples and those who would believe in Him through their witness…that the plan would be carried out to perfection to the end. 

Jesus’ only prayer for Himself was that He return to the position He held the Father before His incarnation…a position He held as a right and a reward. 

“After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”

‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬

What can we learn from this prayer? Jesus was neither proud nor embarrassed by what He had done during His time on earth. He simply stated what He had accomplished in obedience to His Father’s will. 

What was His chief objective?

There it is…the guiding star of Jesus’ entire life!

Predicted by David…

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire— but my ears you have opened— burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭40‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Confirmed repeatedly by Jesus Himself…

“For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”

‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.””

‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This entire communication with the Father breathes the atmosphere of honour, respect, and submission…a Son reporting back to the Father after a lifetime of obedience…anticipating the reward…yes, glory to the Father through His own glory restored but…even much more…

“Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭53‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The greatest reward of all…every redeemed and blood-washed soul a trophy of Jesus’ obedience to the will of God. It cost Him everything but…every moment He suffered, every drop of blood He shed, every agonising cry He raised,was worth it for the reward.  

“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…eternal salvation for millions upon millions throughout the ages…to rejoice in His goodness to sing His praises…and to live and love Him in the glorious freedom of the  redeemed.