Preparing for Victory Through Remembrance and Worship

Standing on the edge of promise, Israel faced Jericho—a city that seemed impossible to conquer. Yet, before any walls fell, God called His people to pause, remember, and worship. In the same way, when we stand before our own battles and breakthroughs, God often asks us to look back and recall His faithfulness. The Passover meal at Gilgal was not just a tradition; it was a spiritual anchor, reminding Israel that their journey was not by their own strength, but by God’s deliverance. When the manna ceased and the people began to eat from the land, it signaled a new season. What felt like loss was actually growth—God’s provision had not ended, it had simply changed form.

As Joshua prepared for battle, he encountered the Commander of the Lord’s army. Joshua’s instinct was to ask, “Are you for us or for our adversaries?” But the answer was neither. The real question was whether Joshua was aligned with God’s agenda, not the other way around. This moment teaches that spiritual victory is not about getting God to bless our plans, but about surrendering our plans to Him. True faith is found in letting go of our own ambitions and trusting God’s greater purpose, even when it means scrapping our carefully laid strategies.

Before the battle, God required worship, not action. Joshua was told to remove his sandals, a sign of humility, vulnerability, and submission. The ground was holy, not because of its location, but because of God’s presence. Worship is not a pause from the fight; it is the preparation for it. Too often, we rush into our battles relying on our own strength, forgetting that victory comes from God’s presence and our surrender. The story of Jericho reminds us that before the walls fall, before the trumpet sounds, there must be remembrance, surrender, and worship. God is not impressed by our busyness, but He is drawn to our surrender. As we face our own Jerichos, may we pause, remember His faithfulness, surrender our plans, and worship on holy ground.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Remembering God’s Faithfulness Anchors Us for Future Battles Before Israel could move forward, God called them to remember His past deliverance. Reflecting on God’s faithfulness in our own lives—how He’s provided, healed, or shown grace—gives us confidence to face new challenges. When we stand on the foundation of His past works, we are less likely to panic at the next obstacle. Remembrance is not nostalgia; it is spiritual preparation. [39:51]
• 2. Growth Often Feels Like Loss, But God’s Provision Remains When the manna ceased, it could have felt like abandonment, but it was actually a sign of maturity and a new season. God’s provision may change form as we grow, and what feels like loss is often an invitation to trust Him in new ways. We must be attentive to the new ways God is working, rather than longing for the old. Growth requires us to recognize and embrace the new forms of God’s faithfulness. [41:33]
• 3. Surrendering Our Plans Is the Path to True Victory Joshua’s encounter with the Commander of the Lord’s army reveals that God is not obligated to fit into our agendas. Spiritual battles are not won by clever strategies, but by surrendering our ambitions and aligning ourselves with God’s will. Sometimes, the greatest act of faith is letting go of our own plans, even when they seem good or logical, and trusting God’s direction. Victory belongs to those who are willing to follow, not just those who plan. [45:33]
• 4. Worship Prepares Us for Battle, Not Just the Aftermath God’s command to Joshua was not to sharpen his sword, but to remove his sandals in worship. True worship is an act of humility and reverence, acknowledging God’s presence and authority before we act. The ground becomes holy when we recognize God is with us, wherever we are. Worship is not a break from the fight; it is the very means by which we are prepared for it. [51:20]
• 5. Surrender and Stillness Attract God’s Presence More Than Busyness God is not impressed by our frantic activity or self-reliance. He is drawn to those who are willing to pause, surrender, and recognize His holiness in the midst of life’s battles. Before we rush into our next challenge, we must stop, reflect, and worship—because we may be standing on holy ground without realizing it. The greatest victories come not from our strength, but from our surrender. [58:38]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [33:45] - Elk Hunt Story: Preparation and Anticipation
• [36:19] - Setting the Scene: Israel at Jericho
• [37:49] - The Pause Before Breakthrough
• [39:01] - Remembering God’s Faithfulness
• [40:39] - The Ceasing of Manna: Growth Through Change
• [41:33] - Recognizing New Forms of God’s Provision
• [42:23] - The Danger of Forgetting God’s Past Works
• [43:39] - Joshua’s Encounter: Whose Side Are You On?
• [44:24] - Surrendering Our Agendas
• [45:33] - God’s Plan vs. Our Plans
• [47:17] - Questions of Surrender
• [51:20] - Worship as Preparation for Battle
• [52:05] - Remembering God’s Miracles in Your Life
• [54:31] - Surrendering Jobs, Relationships, and Timelines
• [58:38] - The Call to Surrender and Worship
• [59:35] - Invitation and Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

Joshua 5:10-15 (ESV) — 10 While the people of Israel were encamped at Gilgal, they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening on the plains of Jericho.
11 And the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain.
12 And the manna ceased the day after they ate of the produce of the land. And there was no longer manna for the people of Israel, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?”
14 And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?”
15 And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Exodus 3:5 (ESV) — Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

Observation Questions

1. What did the Israelites do at Gilgal before facing Jericho, and why was this significant? ([36:19])
2. What changed about God’s provision for Israel after they entered the Promised Land? ([41:33])
3. How did Joshua respond when he encountered the commander of the Lord’s army, and what was he told to do? ([45:33])
4. According to the sermon, what made the ground holy where Joshua was standing? ([47:17])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God wanted Israel to pause and remember the Passover before moving forward to battle? How might this have affected their mindset? ([39:01])
2. The manna stopped once Israel entered the land and ate its produce. What does this shift in provision say about God’s relationship with His people as they matured? ([41:33])
3. When Joshua asked, “Are you for us or for our adversaries?” the commander replied, “No.” What does this teach about aligning our plans with God’s will rather than expecting God to fit into our plans? ([44:24])
4. The command to remove sandals was given both to Moses and Joshua. What does this act of removing sandals symbolize in the context of worship and preparation for what God is about to do? ([47:17])

Application Questions

1. The sermon talked about remembering God’s faithfulness as a way to anchor us for future battles. Can you share a specific time in your life when God provided, healed, or showed you grace? How does remembering that help you face current challenges? ([39:51])
2. When the manna stopped, it could have felt like a loss, but it was actually a sign of growth and a new season. Is there something in your life right now that feels like a loss, but might actually be God moving you into a new season? How can you look for new forms of God’s provision? ([41:33])
3. The commander of the Lord’s army told Joshua that the real question was not whose side God was on, but whether Joshua was on God’s side. Are there plans, ambitions, or relationships in your life that you need to surrender to God instead of asking Him to bless your agenda? ([47:17])
4. Before the battle, God required worship, not action. Do you tend to rush into challenges relying on your own strength, or do you pause to worship and seek God’s presence first? What would it look like for you to “remove your sandals” and recognize holy ground in your daily life? ([51:20])
5. The sermon said, “God is not impressed by our busyness, but He is drawn to our surrender.” Are there areas where you are busy for God but not truly surrendered? What would it look like to pause, reflect, and worship instead of just doing more? ([58:38])
6. The Israelites had to let go of the old way (manna) to embrace the new (produce of the land). Is there something old you are holding onto that God might be asking you to release so you can grow? ([41:33])
7. The story of Jericho reminds us that before the walls fall, there must be remembrance, surrender, and worship. What is one practical step you can take this week to pause and worship God before facing a challenge? ([51:20])