Trusting God's Timing: The Journey to Breakthrough
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound story of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho from Joshua chapter six. This narrative is not just a historical account but a powerful lesson on God's timing and the perseverance required to see His promises fulfilled. Joshua, though not as renowned as Moses or David, exemplifies integrity, obedience, and leadership. His story teaches us that there is always a Jericho—a barrier or obstacle—between us and our blessings. The key is to understand and trust in God's timing, even when it seems perplexing or slow.
We delved into the significance of the seven days of marching around Jericho. God could have brought the walls down in an instant, but He chose a process that required patience and faith. This mirrors our own lives where we often find ourselves doing all the right things—praying, worshiping, and living righteously—yet not seeing immediate results. The lesson here is that God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't align with our expectations.
We also discussed the importance of not comparing our journey with others. Each of us has a unique assignment from God, and our paths will look different. Comparison can lead to discontentment and distract us from our God-given mission. Instead, we should focus on our own growth and the process God is taking us through.
Moreover, we touched on the idea that success takes time and often involves a period of preparation and waiting. Joshua's success was not overnight; it was the result of years of mentorship and obedience. Similarly, young people today should embrace their season of growth and not rush the process.
Finally, we emphasized the importance of persistence. Just as the Israelites had to march for seven days without seeing any immediate results, we too must keep moving forward in faith, trusting that God is working behind the scenes. The message concluded with a call to not quit, to keep marching, and to trust that the breakthrough is near.
### Key Takeaways
1. Trust in God's Timing: God's timing often perplexes us, but it is always perfect. Just as the Israelites had to march around Jericho for seven days, we must trust that every step we take in obedience is part of God's plan, even when we don't see immediate results. [33:02]
2. Embrace Your Unique Journey: Comparison is the thief of joy. Each of us has a unique assignment from God, and our paths will look different. Instead of comparing ourselves to others, we should focus on fulfilling the specific mission God has given us. [50:33]
3. Success Takes Time: Joshua's success was not instant; it was the result of years of preparation and obedience. Similarly, we must embrace the process of growth and not rush God's timing. Our 20s, for example, are a time for learning and development. [47:38]
4. Persistence in Faith: The Israelites had to march for seven days without seeing any immediate results. This teaches us the importance of persistence and faith. Every step we take in obedience, even when it seems futile, is part of God's plan for our breakthrough. [58:59]
5. Don't Quit: There are times when we feel like giving up because we don't see any progress. However, we must remember that we might be on the verge of our miracle. Just as the Israelites were on the seventh day and the walls of Jericho came down, our breakthrough could be just around the corner. [59:50]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[25:02] - Honoring the Pastors
[26:18] - The Power of Generosity
[27:34] - The Struggle of Timing
[32:03] - The Story of Jericho
[33:02] - Understanding God's Timing
[36:04] - The Urgency of Salvation
[37:43] - Recognizing God's Signs
[42:46] - The Process of Success
[47:38] - Embracing Growth in Your 20s
[50:33] - Avoiding Comparison
[54:09] - Different Assignments, Same Blessing
[55:25] - Trusting God's Unorthodox Plans
[58:59] - Persistence and Faith
[01:00:40] - Salvation Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Joshua 6:1-20 - The story of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho.
2. 2 Corinthians 6:2 - "I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation."
3. Exodus 17:8-16 - The first mention of Joshua in the Bible, highlighting his early role and preparation.
### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did God give Joshua regarding the Battle of Jericho? (Joshua 6:1-20)
2. How did the Israelites respond to God's command to march around Jericho for seven days? (Joshua 6:1-20)
3. What does 2 Corinthians 6:2 say about the timing of God's favor and salvation?
4. How is Joshua first introduced in Exodus 17, and what role does he play in the battle against the Amalekites? (Exodus 17:8-16)
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose a seven-day process for the fall of Jericho instead of an immediate miracle? [32:38]
2. How does the story of Joshua and Jericho illustrate the importance of trusting in God's timing, even when it seems slow or perplexing? [33:02]
3. What lessons can be learned from Joshua's years of preparation and mentorship under Moses before leading the Israelites? [47:06]
4. How does the concept of "now is the time of God's favor" in 2 Corinthians 6:2 apply to the urgency of responding to God's call in our lives? [36:54]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like you were doing all the right things but not seeing immediate results. How did you handle it, and what did you learn about God's timing? [27:34]
2. In what ways do you find yourself comparing your journey to others? How can you focus more on your unique assignment from God? [50:33]
3. Think about a period of preparation or waiting in your life. How did it shape you, and what can you do to embrace such seasons in the future? [47:38]
4. How can you practice persistence in your faith, especially when you don't see immediate results? What steps can you take to keep moving forward? [58:59]
5. Have you ever felt like giving up on something God called you to do? What encouragement can you draw from the story of Jericho to keep going? [59:50]
6. Identify one area in your life where you need to trust God's timing more. What practical steps can you take to surrender this area to Him?
7. How can you support and encourage others in your small group who might be in a season of waiting or preparation? What specific actions can you take this week?
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Perfect Timing
Description: Trusting in God's timing can be challenging, especially when we don't see immediate results. The story of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho teaches us that God's timing is always perfect, even when it seems perplexing or slow. The Israelites had to march around Jericho for seven days before the walls came down. This process required patience and faith, mirroring our own lives where we often find ourselves doing all the right things—praying, worshiping, and living righteously—yet not seeing immediate results. Every step we take in obedience is part of God's plan, even when we don't understand it. [33:02]
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you are waiting for God's intervention. How can you practice patience and trust in His perfect timing today?
Day 2: Embracing Your Unique Journey
Description: Each of us has a unique assignment from God, and our paths will look different. Comparison can lead to discontentment and distract us from our God-given mission. Instead of comparing ourselves to others, we should focus on fulfilling the specific mission God has given us. Joshua's journey was unique, and so is yours. Embrace your path and trust that God has a specific plan for you that is different from anyone else's. [50:33]
Galatians 6:4-5 (ESV): "But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load."
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you find yourself comparing to others. How can you shift your focus to embrace your unique journey and mission from God?
Day 3: Understanding that Success Takes Time
Description: Joshua's success was not instant; it was the result of years of preparation and obedience. Similarly, we must embrace the process of growth and not rush God's timing. Our 20s, for example, are a time for learning and development. Success often involves a period of preparation and waiting. Embrace your season of growth and trust that God is preparing you for something greater. [47:38]
James 1:4 (ESV): "And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt impatient with your progress. How can you embrace your current season of growth and trust that God is preparing you for future success?
Day 4: Persistence in Faith
Description: The Israelites had to march for seven days without seeing any immediate results. This teaches us the importance of persistence and faith. Every step we take in obedience, even when it seems futile, is part of God's plan for our breakthrough. Persistence in faith means continuing to trust and obey God, even when we don't see immediate results. Keep moving forward in faith, trusting that God is working behind the scenes. [58:59]
Hebrews 10:36 (ESV): "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."
Reflection: Think of an area in your life where you feel like giving up. How can you practice persistence in faith and continue to trust that God is working behind the scenes?
Day 5: Don't Quit
Description: There are times when we feel like giving up because we don't see any progress. However, we must remember that we might be on the verge of our miracle. Just as the Israelites were on the seventh day and the walls of Jericho came down, our breakthrough could be just around the corner. Keep marching, and trust that the breakthrough is near. [59:50]
Galatians 6:9 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
Reflection: Identify a goal or prayer request you have been waiting on. How can you renew your commitment to not quit and trust that your breakthrough is near?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "There's always a Jericho. There's always a barrier between you and your blessing. There's always some obstacle you navigate. There's always some pushback. There's always some negativity. There's always calls for discouragement. Do you think the devil is going to just sit back and watch you waltz into the Promised Land unopposed?" [32:38] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God's timing is a fascinating thing. The Bible says for our great God, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day. So I want to talk for just a moment about a theology of God's timing." [33:02] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You always find God's will within the boundaries of God's word. And sometimes there's verses on when you should do something. Like, oh gosh, salvation. If you're here today and don't know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you should do that today." [36:04] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When God gives you a green light, it means go now. Sometimes life has limited windows of opportunity. If you hesitate, you miss your moment. I used to tell my kids when they were little punks, hey, slow obey is no obey. And sometimes you can borrow that. You can borrow that. Sometimes if we hesitate, we miss out." [41:30] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Don't be jealous. And then quickly and finally, Joshua took the time to be with God. Why? Because this plan's weird. This, this plan. I know you grew up in, you know, Vacation Bible School singing, Joshua fought the battle of Jericho. But if you're new to the story, if you're new, hearing this for the first or second time, you're like, yes, this is, this is ludicrous. This is unorthodox. This is counterintuitive." [55:25] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So if you're young, listen, and you feel like it's not happening as fast as you want. If you're a Z or a millennial, like, when's it going to happen? When's the spotlight going to find me? When will I be verified? When? Listen, your 20s are a time for you to struggle a little bit and to learn and to grow and falter. So if the spotlight has not found you yet, God's given you precious time to get better." [47:06] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Nothing will assassinate your contentment more than comparison. Let me show you in the Word of God. I'm going to go New Testament right now. Something the Apostle Paul wrote that I think is so insightful. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, do not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned." [49:55] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So who is mentoring you? Paul had Barnabas. Timothy had Paul. Elijah had Elijah. Gosh. Spider-Man had Tony Stark. Luke Skywalker had Yoda. Harry had Dumbledore. I keep going. Adonis had Rocky. Find someone older, wiser, who loves you and love God and pour into them and let them pour into you. Amen?" [49:25] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So has God given you a plan? You've not yet seen the payoff or the blessing. Just, just keep marching. One more step. One more step. One more step. In fact, there's somebody in this room right now, you're so discouraged. You're so frustrated. You think, did I even hear from God back then? Was that, I know there's a verse. I know the pastor said it and it resonated in my heart, but did I even hear? I'm so discouraged. I'm, I'm just ready to quit." [58:24] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You're so close to your miracle. You're so close to your breakthrough. Don't you quit? Don't you quit? In Jesus' name. Don't you quit? It is almost time for the people of God to shout. And after we shout in unity, the walls come tumbling down. Don't you quit? Don't you quit? Don't you quit? Say it with me. Don't you quit? Don't you quit? Until God tells you to quit. If he didn't tell you to quit, it's not time to quit. It's almost time to shout, amen?" [01:00:11] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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