27-Jun-2024 – First conquer your Jericho

Published by Bro. Sunil Binkam on June 27, 2024June 27, 2024

“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

Today, God is speaking to us about conquering challenges in our lives. The Israelites were preparing to conquer Jericho, the first stronghold they had to overcome to enter the Promised Land. When we think of Jericho, we remember its towering and impenetrable walls, symbolizing formidable obstacles.

Jericho’s conquest was the initial step in claiming the Promised Land, representing our journey to attain the positions and blessings God has prepared for us—whether spiritual or material. To reach these promises, we must first conquer our own “Jerichos.”

Jericho was a fortified city, strong and well-protected, signifying that human effort alone couldn’t bring it down. However, God assured Joshua that Jericho was already given into the hands of the Israelites. This demonstrates that, despite seeming insurmountable, our greatest challenges can be overcome through faith in God’s promises.

Jericho also symbolized moral corruption, including idolatry, child sacrifice, and sexual immorality. The presence of Rahab, a prostitute, and the immediate response of military men to her house, suggest the prevalent immorality. Similarly, in our modern society, sexual immorality and the lust for money, status, and fame can be pervasive distractions.

Jesus warns us about the dangers of lustful eyes in Matthew 18:9: “And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.” Lustful eyes can derail our progress and hinder our success in important tasks by causing distractions.

Thus, the “Jericho” we need to conquer today is the lust of the eyes. God assures us that He has given this battle into our hands. By faith, we can overcome it, relying on His grace and strength.

Prayer:

Dear loving Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and grace. Thank You for teaching us the importance of conquering our personal “Jerichos” on our journey to the promises You have for us. Help us, Lord, to identify and acknowledge the lust of our eyes, confessing it in Your presence. Enable us to break down these walls and emerge victorious. I pray in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen!