Patience + Persistence Pays

(Recommended Reading Joshua 6)

More inspiration from music.  One such song is “Do It Again” by Elevation Worship.  The beginning of the song is this:

“Walking around these walls

I thought by now they’d fall

But you have never failed me yet

Waiting for change to come

Knowing the battle’s won

For you have never failed me yet”

These words made me think of the book of Joshua.  The Israelites have crossed into the promised land of Canaan.  In chapter 1 when God has anointed Joshua as the replacement for Moses, He tells Joshua in verses 6, 7 and 9 to be strong and courageous.  In verse 9 He also reminds him to not be afraid or discouraged, because He will be with him wherever he goes.

Starting in verse 12 Joshua is reminding the tribes that chose to remain on the east side of the Jordan that they were obligated to cross over and help the others until they were established in the land; and, in verse 18b (NLT) they agree to do as they had committed to do and they echoed to Joshua what God had told him saying: “‘So be strong and courageous.’”

In Joshua 6:1-5 the Lord instructs him how he is to go about conquering the city of Jericho.  Joshua then passes the instructions along to the Israelites immediately.  What a sight that must have been – a group of armed men leading the way, followed by seven priests blowing their horns continually, followed by the Ark of God, more armed men and then the rest of the Israelites – likely tens of thousands of people.  Plus, other than the sounds of the horns at the front of the procession – silence.  They had been instructed in verse 10 (NLT) “‘Do not shout; do not even talk’, Joshua commanded.  ‘Not a single word from any of you until I tell you to shout.  Then shout!’”  I think that seeing thousands of people circle your city like that would be rather eerie and could cause the inhabitants of Jericho to shudder in confusion and fear. 

On day 1 they followed the instructions to the letter – marching all the way around the city of Jericho once and then returning to their camp.  Days 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were repeats of day 1.  The patience that they had to have to repeat this march day after day in silence, except for the horns leading the “parade”, would have to be strong.

But, that patience and the persistence to keep on keepin’ on paid off.  On day 7 they marched around the city not just once as in days past, but 7 times.  At the end of the 7th turn around, the priests gave a long blast on their horns and with that signal Joshua told them to “Shout!”  When they did, the walls collapsed and they went in to capture the city.  Their occupation of their Promised Land had begun.

This story is a reminder that no matter how impossible things appear in our lives, we need to remember that patience and persistence pays.  It can be so easy to get discouraged and give up.  Maybe you have faced your obstacle 2, 3, 6 times already and you just want to throw up your hands and forget it.  But maybe your victory is just around that 7th corner as it was for the Israelites.  We have to stay strong and courageous knowing that God wants what is best for us – that He will not fail us.

Another section of the above mentioned song says this:

“I’ve seen you move, you move the mountains

And I believe I’ll see you do it again

You made a way, when there was no way

And I believe I’ll see you do it again

I’ll see you do it again

Your promise still stands

Great is your faithfulness…”

The closing verse of the song repeats this:

“You made a way, when there was no way

And I believe I’ll see you do it again.”

We need to stop being so independent and headstrong.  We need to learn to let God break down those walls we are facing – let Him move those mountains in our lives.  Let Him fulfill His promises and prove His faithfulness.  Just keep remembering that Patience and Persistence Pays!

Written by Karran Martin – June 14, 2020