"And the second day they marched around the city once, and returned into the camp. So they did for six days" (Joshua 5:14).
I can imagine the war camp each night after the men marched around the city of Jericho. Soilders debating with themselves on how the attack should have been carried out. A generation born into sojorning were probably tired of walking and were anxious to fight their first battle as a nation. The Lord gave Joshua strict commands, if he was to lead the Chosen people, he had to do it God's way.
It's easy to wonder why things happen the way they do. Why we struggle, why we face difficult times. It's easy for us to read the Bible and wonder why God didn't just do things the easy way.
Jesus gives us some insight into the reason behind our adversity. His disciples asked him to justify why a certain man was born blind. They asked if it was his sin or his parents' that caused his blindness. "Jesus answered 'it was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him" (John 9:3)
Adversity grows us closer to God. When our struggles are too much for us to handle on our own, it gives way to God's strength and forces us to rely on Him. God promises Joshua that Jericho will fall, but first Joshua and the Israelites have to humble themselves and trust in the works of God.
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