"Jericho"

"And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour." Joshua 6:2

When it was time for Joshua to take the Israelites into the promised land, the cities of it's inhabitants stood in the way. The first city they encountered was Jericho. Jericho was a large, well fortified city with walls that were impenetrable- defeat of this city looked impossible. What is standing in your way this morning? What stands between you and the promises of God? What hinders you from entering into your destiny? What is that thing that keeps you from receiving and enjoying the abundant life that Christ came to give you? What is that thing that seems impossible to get through and overcome?

When I looked up the meaning of the name Jericho, I discovered two names. Evidently, the meaning is disputed. The two meanings were: City of the Moon and Place of Fragrance. When you think about the moon, you think about something that has always been since the time of creation. The moon is very big. It's always there even when the clouds hide it's presence from view. It's an unshakeable, unmovable object which is impossible for us to destroy. Does that describe the thing that stands in your way? Has it always been there? Does it, like the moon, keep returning day after day or night after night? Does it look unmovable and too big to overcome? If this describes that thing, let me give you good news this morning- God brought the walls of Jericho down and destroyed the city! The "City of the Moon" was no match for God.

When I thought about the second meaning, Place of Fragrance, it reminded me of a phrase that we use around here- "The sweet smell of victory". When the Israelites went to Jericho, they could already "smell the victory", it's fragrance hung in the air. Before they went to encompass the city, God had already told Joshua that He had given Jericho into his hand. They had the victory before they ever made the first step toward it. The fragrance of victory hung in the air because of God's promise. Even the people in Jericho could smell it because they knew that the God of the Israelites would destroy them.

This morning, whatever that "thing" is- it may look impossible to move, it may have been standing between you and the promise for a long time, it may have been there everyday taunting you by it's size and power- but remember, the same God who created the moon can pull it down, the same God who gave Israel victory over the walled city of Jericho, can pull that thing down too, it's not too big nor too powerful for Him. Stand upon God's promise and begin to "smell the victory".

Have a great day. God destroyed the "City of the Moon" and the Israelites enjoyed the "sweet smell of victory"- if He could do it then for them, He can do the same for you.