We shall be looking at the strategies to crush your barrier to greatness in today's sermon. The sermon opens our eyes on how the Israelites were able to crush the Jericho wall that stood as a barrier for them in entering God's promise which is the land of Canaan that was promised their forefathers (Abraham/Isaac/Jacob) that they will inherit in Genesis 17:8.
In life, we all have God's promises for our destiny. And to get to that destiny, you will have to contend for it according to Deuteronomy 2:24. Despite the fact that God has given the land of Canaan to the Israelites according to Josh. 1:1-3, they still need to fight to get to the land. We know the story of the Israelites coming out from Egypt and how God assisted them to defeat their enemies such as the Egyptians in Exodus14:13 who had held them in captivity for 430 years according to Exodus 12:40-41.
In the text of Joshua chapter 6, we see that the Israelites needed to pass through Jericho to get to their promised land. And here Jericho had been barricaded according to verse 1. The same thing in life for every destined child of God to get to their promised destiny, there are forces to contend with.
Have you ever asked yourself the question that if indeed God has revealed to me about my destiny, why do I need to contend for it before I can lay hold of the promise? The answer to that can be found in the story of David. Despite David being anointed as king, he still found himself running for his life in the hands of King Saul who wanted to get rid of him.
The road to greatness is full of barriers, but God is the only person that can provide the necessary assistance. Examples of people that God assisted are Moses, Joseph, Joshua etc. to mention a few. We all know what surrounded their stories. Despite the fact that God was the person that sent them or gave them that dream of greatness. It was not an easy task for them.
Now, let's look at the strategies employed by Joshua in destroying Jericho.
1. He sent spies in Joshua 2:1 to study the topography of the place. For you to get to your destiny, you need to find out or do some research of how successful people achieve their success. Joshua sent spies to view the land. To defeat your enemy, you need to gather intelligence about the enemy. Let me elaborate further, assuming you want to get a job or get a certification for a profession. You've got to make a move and not just sitting down without making any attempt. You need to start making research of the company if it is a job. Look for what makes a good candidate for the company, make some calls to find out. If it is for professional certification, you need to find out from people that has passed through the process of the certification of what they did. It is after you make an attempt, that God will make that attempt made by you to be easy for you too.
2. He exercise boldness. The bible said in Joshua 5:13-15 that Joshua on approaching Jericho, saw a man with instrument of war in his hand and he went to challenge him. The question is why did Joshua had to move closer to a man with a sword drawn and ready to fight? The answer lies in Joshua 1:5 where God had already promised him that no man will be able to withstood him. Joshua held on to the promise of God and believe in it. Do you know that if the angel has said to him that he is an adversary to the children of Israel? Joshua would have defeated that angel in a fight because of God's promise to him. Psalms 138:2 says "God honour his Word above his name". When God speaks, He stood by His Word to ensure that whatever He says is accomplished. How often do you search the scriptures and held on to the promises of God in it? Or you found a Word of God in the scripture that minister to you and have held on to that Word?
3. Joshua follow strictly God's laid down plans for him. In the story, God told him to tell the Israelites to go round the city once a day for six days and on the seventh day, to go round that same city seven times and at the seventh time, the priest shall blow the trumpets.
You may be thinking, these strategies were meant for the Israelites to defeat their enemies. How does this apply to me in crushing the barrier to my own greatness?
As earlier said at the beginning of the sermon that we all have God's promises for our life. The moment you gave your life to Christ by accepting Him as your Lord and Personal Saviour, that the promises will begin to unfold to you either in dreams or visions or through an encounter with a helper and if you keep quite and do not pursue that destiny vigorously, the devil will not allow you to achieve it.
The question then is what must I do?
1. You must have a discerning spirit to know the timing to start contending for the victories. In Daniel 9:2, Daniel understood that the time of fulfillment of what God told the Israelites in Jeremiah 29:10 that they will spend 70 years in Babylon and that the 70 years is now completed.
2. Once you have the discernment in the spirit, start seeking the face of the Lord in prayer and fasting. Daniel 9:3
3. Once you have started your supplications in prayers, do not relax until you are rest assured that you have received the answer to your request because the adversary the devil will make everything impossible in ensuring that the prayer is not answered. Even after receiving the answered to your prayer, continue for sometime until you can sense peace in your spirit. We can see that in Daniel 10:11-13.
In conclusion, I pray for everyone of you that the Almighty God will give you the necessary assistance to reach your destiny in life in Jesus Name. Amen!
