Faith life 63 (Faith that overcomes Obstacles)

 FAITH THAT OVERCOMES OBSTACLES

“By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.” Hebrews 11:30‬ 

The scripture records for us that, by Faith, the wall of Jericho fell after encircling the city for seven days. The Jericho wall is a picture of an obstacle to enjoying the inheritance Christ has made available for us on the cross. Jericho was the first city that was conquered by the children of Israel. I see Jericho as a type of system and structure the devil has strategically placed in this world to make us lose faith and courage to live as God's son. Obstacles are real! Some are not your fault. At times, we feel maybe we have not prayed well. That's not always true, though.

For instance, I grew up to know myself as an asthmatic patient. I have not even known my left from right when I was battling with this life-threatening sickness. It's not always our fault to see challenges on our way. It is not always our fault that bad leaders are emerging, and the devil is using them to make the situation inhabitable. What I am driving at is that challenges are real. And when you face them, it is not the time you start to beat yourself.

Let's see what Jesus said

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 

The question is: When there are challenges, who do you focus on? Is it the one that has PEACE in Himself to calm the storm? Or do you still focus on the world that is already confused? Jesus said it is sure that we shall experience tribulations.

When Jesus was born, there was Herod and his system on the ground. In the time of the Apostle, there was Nero and his system. Beloved, challenges, and obstacles are real. But we can bank on what Christ has said; “I have overcome the world.”

Let's look to Joshua chapter 6

 Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in. And the Lord said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.” Joshua 6:1-2‬ 

Now, God had promised Israel to possess the land, but there was a Jericho wall on the way serving as a hindrance to them having the land. The city wall was securely shut up because of the children of Israel. The devil may try, but he is already a loser. These people are cowards like the devil. He knows He cannot come to attack you, but the best he can do is to oppose you. He can only take advantage of your ignorance if you don’t know your identity with Christ. But for a Christian who knows, the devil cannot come out to attack him.

The people of Jericho cannot come out to attack the children of Israel. The best they could do was to oppose them. However, God spoke unto Joshua, “I have given into your hand Jericho.” That made me remember the word of Christ: “although there are tribulations and oppositions in the world, be of good cheers, I have overcome the world.” What this means is that Jesus is in charge, and therefore He has in himself specific information on how every obstacle will become flat.

The first thing to understand so well as a believer is that Jesus has overcome the world, and you are already victorious. That was the same thing God told Joshua; He has given them the Land.” The first obstacle you need to remove has to be in your mind: not knowing that all those challenges are already a done deal! You need to put faith in the one that has said, “I have overcome the world.” The world He overcame on our behalf is the world of poverty, sickness, failure, and the like. What you now have is success, progress, excellence, prosperity, and health.