Trusting God's Plan Amidst Uncertainty and Change

As we gathered today, we found ourselves at a crossroads—both as a church family facing leadership transition and as a nation reflecting on freedom and the cost at which it comes. In this moment, we looked back 3,500 years to the banks of the Jordan River, where the people of Israel stood on the edge of promise and uncertainty. Moses was gone, Joshua was called to lead, and the people faced battles ahead. Yet, God’s faithfulness and sovereignty were as sure then as they are now.

God always has a plan. Even when the journey is delayed by our own disobedience or the circumstances seem insurmountable, His purposes remain. The Israelites’ 11-day journey became 40 years, not because God failed, but because they struggled to trust and obey. Still, God provided daily miracles—manna from heaven, pillars of cloud and fire, and the very breath in their bodies. We, too, are surrounded by daily miracles, often overlooked, that testify to God’s ongoing provision and care.

God’s plans often unfold through unexpected people and means. Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute, became a pivotal figure in Israel’s story—not because of her past, but because of her faith. Her act of courage and trust in the God of Israel not only saved her family but wove her into the very lineage of Jesus. This reminds us that God delights in using unlikely people and unconventional methods to accomplish His purposes. Every relationship and encounter in our lives may be a thread in God’s redemptive tapestry.

The battle for Jericho was won not by military might, but by obedience to God’s unusual instructions. The Israelites marched, carried reminders of their failures and God’s mercy in the Ark, and watched as God brought the walls down. The scarlet cord in Rahab’s window pointed to a greater redemption—the blood of Christ that secures our hope and victory.

In our own battles—whether personal, relational, or spiritual—God calls us to be strong and courageous, to stay faithful to His Word, to persevere in the fight, and to trust and obey. The victory is already won in Christ. When we reach the end of ourselves, we find the beginning of God’s power. The battle belongs to the Lord, and He is the God of the impossible.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Plan Is Unstoppable, Even When We Falter God’s purposes are never thwarted by our failures or delays. The Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land was prolonged by their disobedience, yet God’s plan remained intact, and His daily provision never ceased. Even in our own seasons of wandering or waiting, we can trust that God’s plan for us is still unfolding, and His faithfulness is unwavering. [39:36]
• 2. God Uses the Unexpected to Accomplish the Extraordinary Rahab’s story is a powerful reminder that God often chooses the least likely people to play pivotal roles in His redemptive work. Her faith, not her past, defined her future and placed her in the lineage of Christ. We should never underestimate whom God might use in our lives—or how He might use us in the lives of others—to bring about His purposes. [47:23]
• 3. Obedience Precedes Victory, Even When God’s Ways Seem Strange The Israelites’ victory at Jericho came through obedience to a battle plan that defied human logic. Marching in silence, carrying the Ark, and shouting at God’s command required trust in God’s wisdom over their own. True breakthrough often comes when we are willing to follow God’s lead, even when it doesn’t make sense to us. [53:28]
• 4. Our Failures Are Covered by God’s Mercy The Ark of the Covenant carried reminders of Israel’s failures, yet all were placed beneath the mercy seat—a symbol of God’s grace. In Christ, our past mistakes are covered by His mercy, and we walk in the freedom of His forgiveness. We are called to remember our dependence on grace, not to be defined by our shortcomings. [55:41]
• 5. Perseverance and Trust Are Essential in the Journey of Faith God calls us to be strong and courageous, to stay faithful to His Word, and to remain in the battle even when we feel weary or discouraged. The victory is already secured in Christ, but we must not give up before the breakthrough comes. When we trust and obey, we discover that God is able to do the impossible and bring down the walls in our lives. [67:07]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [33:23] - Honoring Veterans and Freedom
• [35:16] - Embracing Change and New Leadership
• [36:27] - Israel on the Edge of the Promised Land
• [38:30] - God’s Plan and Promise to Joshua
• [39:36] - Lessons from Israel’s Wilderness Journey
• [41:05] - Everyday Miracles and Gratitude
• [44:41] - Rahab: An Unexpected Hero
• [47:23] - Rahab’s Faith and God’s Mercy
• [50:33] - God’s Unconventional Methods
• [53:28] - The Battle Plan for Jericho
• [55:41] - The Ark of the Covenant and God’s Mercy
• [58:06] - The Fall of Jericho and Rahab’s Salvation
• [61:18] - Rahab in the Lineage of Christ
• [63:12] - The Scarlet Cord of Redemption
• [65:00] - God’s Expectations: Strength and Courage
• [67:07] - Perseverance in the Battle
• [70:37] - Trusting the God of the Impossible
• [72:07] - Invitation and Response

Observation Questions

1. What specific promises did God make to Joshua as he prepared to lead Israel into the Promised Land? (Joshua 1:1-9)
2. How did Rahab respond to the Israelite spies, and what did she ask in return for her help? (Joshua 2:8-13)
3. What was unusual about God’s instructions for conquering Jericho, and how did the Israelites carry them out? (Joshua 6:2-5; [53:28])
4. According to the sermon, what items were inside the Ark of the Covenant, and what did they represent? ([55:41])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God chose to use Rahab—a Canaanite prostitute—to play such a key role in Israel’s story? What does this reveal about God’s character? ([47:23])
2. The Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land took 40 years instead of 11 days. What does this delay teach us about the consequences of disobedience and God’s patience? ([39:36])
3. The battle plan for Jericho seemed illogical from a human perspective. What might God have been teaching Israel (and us) through these unconventional instructions? ([53:28])
4. The Ark of the Covenant carried reminders of Israel’s failures, but they were placed under the mercy seat. What does this symbolize about how God deals with our past mistakes? ([55:41])

Application Questions

1. The sermon mentioned that God’s plan is unstoppable, even when we falter. Can you think of a time in your life when you felt like you had messed up God’s plan, but He still provided or redirected you? How did you see His faithfulness? ([39:36])
2. Rahab’s faith, not her past, defined her future. Are there people in your life (including yourself) whom you tend to write off because of their past? How might God want to use them—or you—in unexpected ways? ([47:23])
3. The Israelites had to obey God’s strange instructions to see victory. Is there something God is asking you to do right now that doesn’t make sense to you? What would it look like to trust and obey in that area? ([53:28])
4. The Ark of the Covenant was a reminder that our failures are covered by God’s mercy. Do you struggle to believe that your past is truly forgiven? How can you remind yourself to live in the freedom of God’s grace? ([55:41])
5. The sermon challenged us to “stay in the battle” and not give up before the breakthrough comes. Is there a battle in your life where you feel weary or discouraged? What would perseverance look like for you this week? ([01:07:07])
6. The scarlet cord in Rahab’s window pointed to the greater redemption found in Christ. How does remembering the cross help you face your own battles and uncertainties? ([01:03:12])
7. The Israelites were told repeatedly to “be strong and courageous.” What is one practical way you can choose courage and faithfulness in your current circumstances? ([01:05:00])