Trusting God with Our Impossible Walls

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting God When the Walls Are Too High

There are moments in life when the obstacles before us seem insurmountable—walls too high, problems too complex, and resources too few. In these times, God calls us to recognize our own limitations, not so we despair, but so we can fully trust in His power to do what we cannot. The Israelites faced the mighty walls of Jericho with no military experience or weapons, but God wanted them to see that victory would not come by their own strength. When we reach the end of ourselves, that is where God’s power is most clearly revealed. [49:38]

Joshua 6:1-5, 20 (NKJV)
Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in. And the Lord said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days. And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. Then it shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him.” ... So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.

Reflection: What is one “wall” in your life that you know you cannot overcome on your own? Will you name it before God today and ask Him to do what you cannot?

Day 2: Show Up and Face Your Challenges

God does not call us to avoidance or passivity when we face difficulties. Instead, He asks us to show up, even when we are afraid or feel outmatched. The Israelites were told to march around the walls of Jericho day after day, not to run away or hide, but to face the very thing that seemed impossible. In the same way, God wants us to confront our challenges with courage, trusting that He is with us. Showing up is an act of faith, a declaration that we believe God is greater than whatever stands before us. [01:00:02]

Psalm 27:1 (ESV)
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Reflection: What difficult situation have you been avoiding? How can you “show up” in faith this week, trusting that God stands with you?

Day 3: The Power of Silence and Faithful Words

Sometimes, the greatest act of faith is to hold our tongues and refuse to speak words of doubt or defeat. God instructed the Israelites to walk around Jericho in silence, knowing that negative talk could undermine their faith and the victory He wanted to bring. Our words have power—they can either build up faith or tear it down. Instead of complaining or speaking fear, God calls us to speak words of life, hope, and trust in His promises, even when we don’t see the answer yet. [01:04:37]

Proverbs 18:21 (ESV)
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Reflection: When you face a challenge, what words come out of your mouth? This week, will you commit to replacing negative talk with words of faith and hope?

Day 4: Praising God Before the Breakthrough

True faith is revealed when we can praise God before the answer comes, while the wall is still standing. God told the Israelite army to shout and give Him praise before the walls of Jericho fell. This act of worship was not just a celebration of what God had done, but a declaration of trust in what He was about to do. Praising God in advance activates our faith and invites His power into our situation. Even when you don’t see the breakthrough yet, your praise is a testimony that you believe God is faithful. [01:11:22]

Psalm 34:1 (ESV)
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are still waiting for God to move? Will you choose to praise Him today, even before you see the answer?

Day 5: Surrendering What’s Above You to God

There are burdens, people, and situations that are simply “above you now”—beyond your control or ability to fix. In these moments, God invites you to surrender them into His hands, trusting that He is able to do what you cannot. Letting go is not giving up; it is an act of faith that says, “God, this is Yours.” When you put it in God’s hands, you can rest in the assurance that He will work it out for your good and His glory. [45:46]

1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Reflection: What is one thing you need to release to God today—something that is “above you now”? Will you pray and truly place it in His hands?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we gathered as a community, mindful of those traveling and those joining us online, grateful for the ways God keeps us connected. We reflected on the practical realities facing our church family, especially in times of loss. The rising costs and emotional weight of funerals can overwhelm us, and it’s important to approach these moments with wisdom and clarity. We must not let grief or outside pressures lead us into decisions that burden us further. As a church, we are committed to supporting one another, but we must also be honest about our limitations and the need for responsible stewardship.

Turning to the Word, we looked at Joshua 6 and the story of Jericho. The Israelites faced an impossible wall—fortified, intimidating, and guarded by experienced soldiers. They had no military experience, no weapons, and no way forward by human means. Yet, God’s promise stood: “I have delivered Jericho into your hands.” The lesson is clear—there are battles in life that are simply above us, beyond our ability to fix or control. In those moments, we must put the situation in God’s hands, trusting that He is able to do what we cannot.

We considered the importance of obedience and faith. God gave Israel specific instructions: march around the wall, be silent, and then shout in praise before the wall even fell. This was not about military strategy, but about learning to trust God’s process. Sometimes, God wants us to see the full size of our problem so that when deliverance comes, we know it was only by His hand. We must show up, face our challenges, and resist the urge to speak defeat or negativity. Our words matter—life and death are in the power of the tongue.

Finally, we are called to praise God even before the breakthrough. True faith is not just celebrating after the wall falls, but blessing God while the wall is still standing. When we put our battles in God’s hands and respond with faith, obedience, and praise, we invite His power into our impossible situations. Whatever wall you face today, remember: it’s above you now—put it in God’s hands, trust His timing, and praise Him in advance.

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Key Takeaways

1. Wise Stewardship in Times of Grief: In moments of loss, emotions can cloud our judgment, leading to decisions that may burden us financially or otherwise. It’s crucial to approach these times with clear eyes, understanding both the practical and spiritual implications. The church is here to support, but we must also be responsible and honest about what we can do, ensuring that our choices honor both our loved ones and our own well-being. [22:38]
2. Recognizing When It’s Above You: There are situations in life that are simply beyond our control—walls too high, battles too fierce, problems too complex. The wisdom is in recognizing when to stop striving in our own strength and to place the matter fully in God’s hands. Trusting God with what is “above us” is not weakness, but the deepest kind of faith. [45:46]
3. Obedience Precedes Breakthrough: God often asks us to follow instructions that may not make sense to us—like marching around a wall in silence. Obedience, even when the outcome is unclear, positions us for God’s intervention. Sometimes, God wants us to fully grasp the size of our obstacle so that when He moves, we know it was only by His power, not our own. [54:41]
4. The Power of Showing Up and Speaking Life: Faith is not passive; it requires us to show up in the face of our challenges, even when we feel outmatched. At the same time, we must guard our words, refusing to speak defeat or negativity over our situation. Our presence and our words are acts of faith that align us with God’s promise and open the door for His victory. [60:02]
5. Praising God Before the Wall Falls: True faith is demonstrated not just in celebrating after the victory, but in praising God while the wall is still standing. When we bless God in advance, we declare our trust in His character and His promises, regardless of what we see. This kind of praise shakes the foundations of our obstacles and invites God’s power to move on our behalf. [71:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[19:41] - Announcements and Community Updates
[21:29] - Reflections on Funerals and Church Support
[22:38] - The Business of Death and Wise Stewardship
[25:16] - Changing Funeral Practices and Church Policy
[26:51] - Financial Realities and Making Wise Decisions
[32:34] - Offering and Praise
[41:46] - Introduction to Joshua 6 and Jericho
[44:06] - “It’s Above Me Now” – The Viral Story
[45:46] - Putting It in God’s Hands
[47:21] - The Israelites’ Impossible Situation
[49:38] - God Levels the Playing Field
[52:17] - God’s Instructions: March, Don’t Fight
[53:09] - Why God Makes Us Face the Wall
[54:41] - Clarity About Our Limitations
[56:18] - When the Problem Gets Worse
[60:02] - Show Up in Faith
[63:13] - The Discipline of Silence
[67:18] - The Call to Praise Before the Breakthrough
[71:22] - Trusting God with the Wall

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Joshua 6:1-5, 20 (ESV) — 1 Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in.
2 And the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor.
3 You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days.
4 Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.
5 And when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.”
20 So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.

Observation Questions

What specific instructions did God give the Israelites for taking the city of Jericho? (Joshua 6:1-5)
According to the sermon, why did God have the Israelites walk around the wall multiple times instead of attacking it directly? [54:41]
What was the Israelites’ response before the wall actually fell, and what did God ask them to do at that moment? (Joshua 6:20; [01:07:18])
In the sermon, what practical challenges did the church face regarding funerals and supporting grieving families? [22:38]

Interpretation Questions

Why might God want the Israelites to see the full size and strength of the wall before He brought it down? What does this reveal about how God works in our lives? [54:41]
The sermon talks about “putting it in God’s hands” when something is “above you.” What does it look like to truly let go of control in a difficult situation? [45:46]
The pastor emphasized the importance of obedience even when God’s instructions don’t make sense. Why is obedience so closely tied to faith in this story? [53:09]
The sermon mentioned the power of our words and the discipline of silence. How can negative speech impact our faith and the outcome of our challenges? [01:04:37]

Application Questions

The pastor warned about making emotional decisions during times of grief, especially regarding funeral expenses. Have you ever made a big decision while grieving or under pressure? What would it look like to approach those moments with “clear eyes” and wise stewardship? [22:38]
Is there a “wall” in your life right now that feels impossible to overcome? What would it mean for you to say, “It’s above me now,” and put it in God’s hands? [45:46]
God asked the Israelites to show up and walk around the wall, even though it looked hopeless. Is there a situation where you need to keep “showing up” in faith, even if you don’t see results yet? What would that look like for you this week? [01:00:02]
The sermon talked about the discipline of silence and not speaking defeat over your situation. Are there areas where you tend to speak negatively or doubt God’s ability? What is one way you can change your words to speak life and faith instead? [01:04:37]
The Israelites praised God before the wall fell. Can you think of a time when you praised God before seeing the answer? How did that affect your faith? Is there something you need to praise God for in advance right now? [01:11:22]
The church is committed to supporting one another, but also has limitations. How can you be both supportive to others in need and honest about your own boundaries and resources? [26:51]
The pastor said, “If I’m going to pray, why worry?” What is one worry you can commit to pray about and then intentionally let go of this week? [01:11:22]

Sermon Clips

But they do have God. And when you are outnumbered and when your resume doesn't match their resume and when your bank account doesn't match their bank account, don't you worry because if you have God on your side, I don't know about you, but I'm a living witness that with God on your side, God will do for you what you cannot do for yourself. [00:51:12] (32 seconds) #GodLevelsTheField

When you give it to God, he says, I've got it. He says, now Joshua, don't split the wall. I got this. Put it in my hand. Tell Israel, don't worry, it's above them now. God says, I'll handle the wall. But there's something I need you to do for me. I have some instructions for you to do. Don't just pray and give it to me and then go and watch Real Housewives of a Lamb. That's not the way this works. [00:52:40] (32 seconds) #ObedienceInFaith

So when I bring this wall down, you ain't gonna be able to walk into the sanctuary or walk anywhere else telling everybody, look what we done did. when this wall comes down, you will know it couldn't have been anybody other than your God. My brothers and sisters, every now and then, God wants you to have a crystal clear clarity about what you can't do by yourself. [00:56:25] (29 seconds) #TestifyGodsMiracles

And God says to you, don't get frustrated. That's exactly where I want you to be. I want you to see that you can't handle this. I want you to know that it's not within your power. I want you to know it's greater than you. So that when I make a way out of no way, when I bring the wall down in your life, when I bring you through this storm, when you heal this fight of what they said, you'll be able to walk in the sanctuary and shout if it had not been for the Lord on my side. [00:57:31] (37 seconds) #ShowUpInFaith

``The reason you made it through that situation, the reason you made it over that wall, the reason you're still standing today is because you can look back and declare that the Lord showed up and the Lord did what my money couldn't do. The Lord did what my friends could not do. Is there anybody here who has a testimony of what the Lord has done in your life? Nobody, but God made it possible. Nobody but the Lord brought me through. It was nobody but the Lord. [00:58:39] (43 seconds) #SpeakLifeNotFear

And, you know, the Bible says, life and death is in the power of the tongue. What you speak can abort God's vision for you. What you say can delete what God is trying to do. You've got to be careful about what comes out of your mouth. He says, you need to be quiet because all that negative talk is only going to weaken the victory I want to bring into your life. [01:04:28] (36 seconds) #SurrenderAndTrust

You know, there are some folk who can praise God after the wall is down. But then there are some folk who know that God is so good and God is so worthy and God is so strong that I can still praise Him while the wall is still up. I can still praise Him while I'm still sick. I can still shout while I'm still broke. Is there anybody up in here who can praise God with the wall still up? [01:10:23] (38 seconds)

The Bible says that they begin to shout and give glory and the wall begin to shake. The ground begin to move because when you praise God, the walls will quake. When you praise God, the walls will shake. When you give Him glory, the walls will begin to move. When you will give Him glory, the walls will come down. Whenever you give Him glory, things will happen. When you praise Him, it activates God's promise. [01:11:00] (44 seconds)

Someone today, you've been waiting on God. And God says, I've been waiting on you. I want to know that you can praise me for who I am, even with the wall in front of you, that you give me thanks when I haven't answered your prayer yet. Because God always fulfills His promises. [01:11:45] (26 seconds)

If I'm going to pray, why worry? If I'm going to pray, let me put it in your hands. Because you've told me when I can't count it no more, just take it upstairs. Give it to you. Put it in your hands. You'll take it from there. I'm thankful. I've got a God. No matter how tough. No matter how rough. I'll put it in your hands, Lord. I'll put my child in your hands. I'll put my husband [01:13:58] (41 seconds)

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