BE STRONG IN OUR OBEDIENCE

Be Strong: Strong in Our Obedience
Bible Text: Joshua 6:1-20
We have been studying the book of Joshua in our sermon series “Be Strong.” Throughout this series, we have been reminded that God repeatedly told Joshua, “Be strong and of a good courage.”
In the first message, we looked at being strong in God’s presence. The reason we can be strong is because God is with us. When God told Joshua to move forward, He reminded him that he would not be alone. The same is true for us today. If God is for us, who can be against us?
Last week, we looked at being strong in God’s direction. We learned through the crossing of the Jordan River that God’s way does not always make sense to us. If God’s plan always made sense from a human perspective, then it would simply be something we could have created ourselves.
But God’s ways are higher than our ways. His methods may not always make sense, but His way is always right.
Tonight, we turn our attention to Joshua chapter 6 and the subject of being strong in our obedience.
It is one thing to say, “I am strong in God’s presence.” It is another thing to say, “I am strong in following God’s direction.” But it is another thing entirely to say, “I will obey God even when His plan is difficult, unusual, or requires patience.”
I believe many of us here tonight desire to obey the Lord. This Wednesday night crowd could be doing many other things, but you chose to be here because you wanted to hear from God’s Word. Many of you serve faithfully in different areas of the church. Tonight is not meant to be a message of criticism, but a message of encouragement.
If you are trusting God, following God, and obeying God, then keep going.
Sometimes we look at situations in life and wonder if we have done something wrong. Maybe a child chooses another direction. Maybe someone we have witnessed to does not respond. Maybe things do not turn out the way we hoped.
But remember this truth:
If you are trusting God, following God, and obeying God, you are doing the right thing. Keep walking with Him.
Tonight, I want us to see four truths about strong obedience.

1. Strong Obedience Trusts God’s Plan
Joshua 6 begins with the city of Jericho standing before Israel.
“Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.”
Joshua 6:1
Jericho was prepared. The city was locked down. The people inside knew Israel was coming.
Then God gave Joshua His plan.
“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
Notice that God said, “I have given.”
God allowed Joshua to see the victory before the battle ever happened.
The plan God gave them probably did not make sense.
These were trained soldiers. They had swords, spears, and weapons of war. If they had gathered together to make their own battle plan, they probably would have talked about weapons, strategy, and strength.
But God said:
“Walk around the city.”
That was the plan.
Walk around once a day for six days. Then on the seventh day, walk around seven times, blow the trumpets, and shout.
Humanly speaking, that sounds weak.
But here is what we must understand:
It did not matter what method God chose because the victory was already His.
If God had told them to throw rocks at Jericho, Jericho would have fallen.
If God had told them to shout at the walls, Jericho would have fallen.
Why?
Because when God says something, His Word can be trusted.
The same is true in our lives.
God already has a plan for what you are facing. God already knows what tomorrow holds. God already knows the answer before we ever see the problem.
We must learn to trust God’s Word even when His methods are not what we would choose.

2. Strong Obedience Requires Complete Submission
Joshua 6:6-14 shows Israel following God’s instructions.
The priests carried the Ark of the Covenant. The trumpets sounded. The soldiers marched. The people walked around the city.
But notice something important.
They were not only required to do something—they were required to refrain from doing something.
Joshua told them:
“Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth…”
Joshua 6:10
They had to be silent.
That is not easy.
Some people struggle to be quiet. Some people always have something to say.
But God required silence.
True obedience is not just doing what God tells us to do. Sometimes obedience is refusing to do what we want to do.
Submission is two-sided.
We often think submission means saying yes when God asks us to act.
But sometimes submission means saying no to our own desires.
I have been working on my health and exercising more. I do not have much trouble submitting to going to the gym.
My problem is submitting to the refrigerator and the snack cabinet!
But obedience requires both action and restraint.
The soldiers had to submit to a strange command. They had to submit to specific roles. Some carried the Ark. Some blew the trumpets. Some simply walked.
Even the soldiers who were trained for battle were not allowed to fight.
That is real submission.
Sometimes God asks us to trust Him instead of relying on what we think we are capable of doing.

3. Strong Obedience Waits on God’s Timing
Joshua 6:15-20 tells us about the victory.
For six days, they marched.
On the seventh day, they marched seven times.
Then Joshua gave the command.
The trumpets sounded.
The people shouted.
And the walls fell.
Can you imagine the patience it required?
Day one.
Day two.
Day three.
Day four.
Day five.
Day six.
Nothing happened.
But God was working.
Sometimes we want to pray a prayer and have God put the answer on the delivery truck immediately.
But many times God uses the waiting.
God uses the walking.
God uses the silence.
God uses those moments to grow our faith.
Israel had to walk around the city thirteen times before they saw the victory.
They could have quit after day one.
They could have said, “Joshua, this is not working.”
But they continued because God had spoken.
Do not quit before you give God a chance to honor His Word.
Sometimes we try to rush God’s timing. Sometimes we even do good things outside of God’s timing.
But understand this:
Doing the right thing at the wrong time can still be disobedience.
God is not looking for us to simply do more. He is looking for us to faithfully do what He has called us to do.
If God has called you to teach, teach faithfully.
If God has called you to serve, serve faithfully.
If God has called you to be faithful in your place, stay faithful.
Do not quit before God has finished what He is doing.

4. Strong Obedience Honors God’s Holiness
Joshua 6:17-19 gives specific instructions concerning Jericho.
The city was to be destroyed, except for Rahab and her family because of the promise made to her.
The gold, silver, brass, and iron were not to be taken for personal use. They belonged to the Lord.
God was teaching Israel that victory belongs to Him.
But sadly, we see in the next chapter that a man named Achan ignored God’s command.
He took what God said not to take, and it brought trouble to Israel.
The people wanted God’s blessing, but Achan wanted things his own way.
And sometimes that is where we struggle.
We want God’s blessings.
We want God’s timing.
We want God’s direction.
But we also want our own rules.
It reminds me of children.
Children love the house. They love the bed. They love the food. They love being taken places.
But then mom and dad give rules.
Clean your room.
Take out the trash.
Be home at a certain time.
Suddenly the rules become a problem.
Many people are the same way with God.
We love His blessings, but sometimes we struggle with His commands.
Strong obedience honors God’s holiness.

Conclusion
The story of Jericho is not just about the victory of Israel.
It is about our need for God.
Could Israel have defeated Jericho with swords and spears?
Maybe.
But God wanted them to learn something greater:
They needed Him.
A God who can bring down walls through obedience, faith, trumpets, and a shout is a God who can handle whatever we face.
The message of Joshua is simple:
Be strong.
Trust God.
Follow God.
Obey God.
West End Baptist Church, we have walked through valleys. We have crossed rivers. We have faced difficult seasons.
And there will be more challenges ahead.
But keep walking with God.
Keep trusting Him.
Keep obeying Him.
Because in His perfect timing, He will give the victory.