To trust in the Lord’s power is to understand that He is definitely capable of both sustaining us through the siege and breaking down whatever holds us back or troubles us. It’s a simple statement, but living it out? That’s a different story.

A few days ago, my son came up to me while I was washing the dishes. He asked me what I thought about the story of the Israelites and how they made the walls of Jericho fall. Without looking up from the sink, I said, “It’s amazing.”

He paused, and then he said something that made me stop everything. “Mom, I think it’s more than amazing. They completely just trusted God that He would break the walls for them.”

That hit me—he was so right. The story isn’t just an “amazing” historical account; it’s a profound lesson in trust. Here were the Israelites, finally at the edge of the land God had promised them for generations. It was right there, waiting for them. But there was a catch, and it was a big one: the great, fortified walls of Jericho.

In fact, history tells us these walls were an engineering marvel of their time. They were likely double walls, thick and tall. The people inside probably felt completely secure, invincible even. And let’s be honest, if the Israelites had simply relied on their own strength, their own strategies, they wouldn’t have stood a chance. The wall was just too strong.

So, God steps in. And the command He gives for this great military conquest is, to put it mildly, bizarre. Imagine being a soldier in that army. Your commander, Joshua, comes to you and says, “Alright everyone, here’s the plan. We’re going to march. For six days, I want the army to march around the city one time, silently. The priests will go ahead of you, carrying the Ark of the Covenant, and seven of them will be blowing trumpets made of rams’ horns. Then, on the seventh day, I want you to march around the city seven times. And when you hear a long blast from the trumpets, I want every single one of you to shout as loud as you can.”

Can you imagine the whispers in the ranks? “Shout? That’s the plan? We’re going to defeat this fortress by walking and yelling?” It defies all human logic. It’s a plan that requires you to lay down your own understanding, your own pride, your own military tactics, and simply trust.

But they did it. They walked. They blew their horns. And on that seventh day, they shouted. And the walls came tumbling down.

That story, and my son’s simple, profound take on it, has been echoing in my heart. I think there are a few lessons we can carry with us for the walls in our own lives.

Lesson 1: Your Wall is Real, but God is Real-er.

First things first: Acknowledge your wall. Don’t pretend it isn’t there. Jericho was a real, physical obstacle. Your fear, your hurt, your challenge—it’s real, too. It’s okay to admit that it’s big and intimidating. But the story of Jericho teaches us that our reality is not the ultimate reality. God’s power is. The size of your wall is no match for the size of your God.

Lesson 2: God’s Plan Will Often Defy Your Logic.

A battle plan of marching and shouting makes no sense. And sometimes, what God asks of us makes no sense either. To forgive when you’ve been deeply hurt. To give when you feel like you have nothing. To rest when you feel you should be hustling. To be patient when every fiber of your being wants to rush ahead. His ways are not our ways. Trusting Him means being willing to look a little foolish to the world, to let go of our need for a logical, step-by-step plan, and to simply follow His lead.

Lesson 3: Obedience is the Footwork of Faith.

The Israelites couldn’t just stand on a hill, believe the walls would fall, and wait for it to happen. They had to do something. They had to get up and walk. Every single day. Even when nothing was happening. Even when they felt ridiculous. Even when the people of Jericho were probably laughing at them from the ramparts. Your breakthrough is often tied to your obedience in the “boring” middle. It’s the daily choice to pray, to be kind, to keep showing up, to take that one small step. That consistent, faithful footwork is what positions you for the miracle.

Lesson 4: Don’t Walk Alone, and Don’t Be Silent Forever.

They marched as one people. And on the final day, they shouted together. There is incredible power in community. Don’t try to face your walls alone. Surround yourself with people who will march with you, who will pray for you, who will keep you going when you want to quit. And while much of the journey may be in quiet trust, there comes a time to lift your voice—in prayer, in praise, in declaration of faith. Your voice has power. Our collective voices can shake foundations.

Lesson 5: Victory Has a Due Date.

The walls didn’t fall on day one. Or day three. Or day six. They fell on God’s appointed time: the seventh day, after the seventh lap. We live in a world of instant gratification, but faith is often a waiting game. It’s easy to get discouraged when you’ve been marching for what feels like an eternity and the wall is still standing. But hold on. Don’t give up on day six. Your victory has a due date. Continue to walk in obedience and trust that at the perfect moment, God will command the shout and the walls will come down.

The Takeaway

So, what’s the wall in your life right now? What is that one thing that stands between you and the promise you feel in your soul?

Look at it. Acknowledge its size. And then, remember Jericho. Remember that you serve a God who brings down walls. The battle is not yours to win with your own strength or your own brilliant strategies. The battle is the Lord’s.

Your part is to trust. Your part is to walk. Your part is to follow a plan that may not make sense to you. Find your people, march with them, and get ready. Because at just the right time, you’ll be asked to shout—and you will witness firsthand how things that once seemed so permanent can come tumbling down.