Treasures in Heaven
(Matthew 6:19-20)
19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal; 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven , where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.
Because nothing is impossible for God.
Luke 1:37
God created all things. If He is the creator, is there anything impossible for Him to do? No, no, no, no, no!
When God promises, He always fulfills what He says, even if we have no idea how He will solve the problem. But there's a catch: you have to believe for the impossible to happen.
A man in the Bible, well-known to everyone, believed that something crazy was going to happen, something God himself had arranged for him! Of course, there were people who doubted him, but he didn't even care. He believed until the very end.
Do you know who he was?
Joshua!
Today we're going to learn more about the walls that fell in Jericho!
God Promised to Bring Down the Walls, and Joshua Believed Until the End
Bible Reference: Joshua 6:1–21
The people of Israel had been slaves in Egypt for a long time. They had been mistreated for many years. But one day, God sent a deliverer to save His people. His name was Moses.
God promised that the Israelites would have a new life in a place called Canaan. So they set out toward the land God would give them… The journey took several years…
In the middle of the journey, Moses asked Joshua to continue leading the people toward Canaan, because they had not yet reached their destination and Moses was already very old. Joshua had a very important mission: to lead the people into the Promised Land.
There was only one problem: the cities they needed to conquer were already occupied, and of course, the people living there did not want to leave. The inhabitants of those cities were enemies of God’s people; they were called the Canaanites.
Not only did they refuse to give up their cities, but they also hated those who worshiped the living God. So, as you can see, the people of Israel would have to fight them.
Then Joshua went to ask God what to do. Joshua spoke with God just as we do. He heard God’s voice—not just in his heart; Joshua actually heard the sound of God’s voice! Amazing, isn’t it?
God commanded him and the warriors to take the city of Jericho.
But now there was another problem: the city of Jericho was surrounded by a very high and thick wall. And the enemy king, realizing that God’s people were going to try to invade the city, ordered the gates of Jericho to be shut.
Do you think Joshua was discouraged? No! Do you know why? Because God told him exactly how He would give victory to the people of Israel. God said:
—Listen, Joshua, this is what you will do: you, your warriors, and seven priests with seven trumpets will walk around the entire city once a day for six days. On the seventh day, you will do something different, because that day will be special. It will be the day I give you the victory!
Joshua asked:
—And what should we do, Lord?
—On the seventh day, you will march around Jericho seven times. On the final lap, the priests will blow the trumpets loudly and with great strength. When the people hear the sound of the trumpets, they must also shout loudly. When you do this, the walls will fall down by themselves, piece by piece, and you will be able to enter and take the city, God said.
What a different idea! It didn’t seem like it would work, right? Can you imagine bringing down such huge walls just by blowing trumpets and shouting? It sounds strange, but God fulfilled His promise.
Joshua did not argue with God. He simply obeyed. He told the people everything God had commanded, and the warriors and priests followed God’s instructions—they did everything just right!
When the walls fell, the enemies were desperate; they couldn't believe it! And the people of Israel? They alone glorified the name of the Lord! How wonderful!
The Canaanites had to fight against God's people, but not a single enemy was left to tell the tale.
Jericho already belonged to God's people! How our Father thinks of everything and is powerful!
What did you learn from Joshua's experience?
Nothing is impossible for God! When we truly trust in God, He fulfills what He promises, even if in our limited minds it seems impossible.
If Joshua had not obeyed that strange command from God, he would not have seen the miracle.
But can God do any crazy thing we want? No, it's not exactly like that. God only does what is in accordance with His Word, which is always good.
He's not going to create things just for the sake of creating them, is he? He performs miracles to bless us, because he loves us so much!
It's TIME to PRAY !
God, how wonderful to know that you are so powerful and can do so many impossible things! Every day of my life I count on you to help me. Even if something is very difficult, I know you will always find a way to solve it. I know you will keep all your promises because I am sure that you love me. Thank you, Father!
