When it feels like it isn't paying off

The Conquest of Jericho

I find it noteworthy that when God gave the city of Jericho to Israel, the first time they marched around the city, NOTHING happened.  Nothing.  The same with day 2-6.  The first 6 days, nothing happened.  There was no progress.  There was nothing measureable to encourage the people’s faith. Further, on the 7^th day, when they had to march around the city a total of 7 times, the first 6 trips again, produced no results.  They actually had to march 12 times and saw NOTHING happen. 

I have to say that typically, once I’ve persevered or pushed through something just a few times, I pretty much feel worn out.  Even when I am certain of God’s calling, I still find myself doubting pretty quickly. 12 is not a magic number of attempts or times to persevere, but a reminder that God does what He says He will do.  If He says He is giving a city into your hands, He will do that. Even if obedience yields no results and feels like it isn’t “paying off”.  Even if it feels like maybe we misunderstood, we can still trust Him to be faithful and come through.

By the way, at the end of that 7^th trip around the city on the 7^th day, the walls were demolished.  The city was given to Israel just the way God said it would be.  It’s probably safe to say that Israel learned to trust God that day, or at the very least, they were reminded.

I don’t know what’s in your life right now that has you feeling like all your hard work is not paying off, or feels like chaos, or feels hopeless, but may I remind you, that if you are obedient, and if you will keep pursuing & fighting, God will not return His Word void.  He never has and He won’t today.  God will do what He said He would do.  We can trust that.