May the curse of the LORD fall on anyone who tries to rebuild the town of Jericho. JOSHUA 6:26 ESV
Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go out or in. But the LORD said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors. You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. 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. When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams’ horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town. JOSHUA 6:1-5 ESV
Never forget who the real enemy is
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. EPHESIANS 6:10-12 ESV
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 PETER 5:8 ESV
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. JAMES 4:7 ESV
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” LUKE 10:19 NIV
Practice using the powerful weapons of God
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 CORINTHIANS 10:3-4 NIV
Joshua used three spiritual weapons to attack Jericho:
And just as Joshua had commanded the people, the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the LORD went forward, blowing the trumpets… JOSHUA 6:8 ESV
But now bring me a musician. And when the musician played, the hand of the LORD came upon him. 2 KINGS 3:15 ESV
…With the ark of the covenant of the LORD following them. The armed men were walking before the priests who were blowing the trumpets, and the rear guard was walking after the ark, while the trumpets blew continually. JOSHUA 6:8B-9 ESV
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. PSALM 119:11
But Joshua commanded the people, “You shall not shout or make your voice heard, neither shall any word go out of your mouth, until the day I tell you to shout. Then you shall shout.” JOSHUA 6:10 ESV
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. PSALM 62:1 ESV
Sometimes the most powerful words are the ones that aren’t said.
You don’t always have to respond
Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. PROVERBS 11:12 ESV
You don’t always have to have an opinion
When you speak, you always have to represent Jesus
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. COLOSSIANS 4:6 ESV
Shout for God, but not at people
On the seventh day they rose early, at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times. And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, “Shout, for the LORD has given you the city. And the city and all that is within it shall be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live…
So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city. JOSHUA 6:15-17;20 ESV
My Notes
Personal Reflection Guide
Find a quiet place that is free from distractions. Be silent and allow your mind and heart to become calm. When you sense you are ready, invite God into this time. Reflect on the sermon and how to fight for what you believe in this election season. Ask God to help you see where Satan may be working to tempt you to think or act in an ungodly way. Ask God questions like, “What is important for me to fight for in the weeks ahead? What weapons should I use to fight your way? How have I not been fighting your way? What are you pleased about regarding how I am fighting?” Have a conversation with God around these questions. As you think about the election season so far, what are your feelings? Allow them to surface. Ask yourself, “What do my feelings show I believe about this election? How do these beliefs need to change?” Pray for God to impress on you one thing you can do this week to be a godly representative of him in these final days before the election. Thank him when he enables you to reflect his grace through your action.
Discussion Questions
- What is one thing you feel God is saying to you this week through your personal Bible reading or prayer time?
- Read Ephesians 6:10-12. When have you accidentally confused a person, political party, race or culture with the real enemy and what do you need to do about it?
- Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-4. What are some of the practical things you do to remind yourself who the real enemy is and fight against him?
- Read Psalm 119:11. Is there a time when remembering a Bible verse might have saved you in an argument? How would that have changed your actions/reactions? Are there any practical steps you can take moving forward to be more scripture-filled in your thoughts?
- Proverbs 11:12. In what practical ways might choosing to be silent improve some of your current relationships?
- Read Joshua 6:20. What walls do you need God to tear down in your life and what can this group do to help?
