Sheri Graham: Helping you live with intention and purpose!

{Living, Learning, Loving...Intentionally}

  • Follow Me ON Social Media!
  • PODCAST
  • HOMEMAKING
  • HOMESCHOOL
  • FAMILY
  • RECIPES
  • THM
  • STORE

Marching Around My “Jericho”: Learning to March in Quiet Obedience

September 23 by Sheri Graham 4 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. See my full Disclosure Policy here.



Marching Around My Jericho

Tonight as I sat here for some Bible reading time, I was feeling overwhelmed and defeated.  Defeated in parenting and homeschooling.  Feeling that I wasn’t doing enough fun things with the kids, not covering everything the kids will need in our homeschool, not doing “enough” in general.  After tucking the little ones in bed, I came downstairs to have some time in the Word.  I NEEDED some time in the Word, you know what I mean?

It just so happened that my Bible reading for today was Joshua 4-6.  Wow!  The Lord knew I needed this and it was just what I needed to hear!  Chapter 6 is what really spoke to me.  This passage covers the battle of Jericho.  How the Israelites marched around the city of Jericho one time then went back to their camp…six days in a row.  Then how on the seventh day they marched around Jericho seven times…and God gave them a miraculous victory.

I want to share what God showed me tonight.  Oh how faithful He is to speak to us, to encourage our hearts to continue on, to keep on keeping on.  Here are the main points I got out of this passage.

It is God’s battle.

As the Israelites marched around Jericho, the only sound on the first six days was the trumpets sounding…in a way declaring that the battle is the Lord’s.  In all the daily struggles and challenges, I must remember that this battle is the Lord’s.  When I begin to take ownership and claim the battle as my own, I begin to walk in my own strength…trying to fight the battle on my own.  I stop listening for my commander’s instructions and start listening to myself..and that always leads into trouble.

As I walk through these days of being a mother and homeschool mom with many children at home, I must continually remind myself that my life is His.  It is His battle and I should live in such a way that others hear the trumpet of the Lord…not me!

I must know God personally in order to “hear” Him give the battle commands.

The Israelites had to listen to Joshua’s instructions in order to carry out God’s plan.  In the same way, I must know God personally in order to hear Him give me the battle commands!  Scripture says that His sheep hear His voice.  If I don’t know Him, I will not be able to hear Him…and defeat is imminent.  In our study of American History, we have read about what happens when soldiers did not hear their commander’s instructions.  It usually meant disaster…chaos…defeat.

You can probably relate to the many “battles” that face each of us as mothers, wives, homeschoolers…each and every day.  We face battles with time, habits, schedules, homemaking, parenting wisdom, attitudes, relationships…the list goes on and on.  We will be in serious trouble if we cannot hear our commander God giving us our battle orders.  We absolutely MUST be growing in our relationship with Him, knowing Him more and more each day, so that we can “hear” him at any moment of the day.

I must simply obey and do what He is telling me to do, even if I don’t see victory in sight.

As the Israelites marched around the walls of Jericho, I wonder if some of them were wondering what in the world Joshua was having them do, except to look pretty foolish to those looking on in Jericho.  As a mom, there have been many times when I have felt this way.  I know what the Lord is showing me to do…and as I struggle to follow through and obey, I wonder if all this effort is going to be in vain.  Is victory anywhere close?  Will I ever see the “fruit” from all my labor?

God doesn’t always call us to a walk that is “loud”…sometimes victory comes after periods of quiet obedience.

As the Israelites marched around Jericho in silence each day, so I must continue to walk in obedience, doing the “quiet” work of being a wife and mother.  Being a homeschool mom at home with my children all day, creates lots of opportunity for quiet service to my family and others.  Many of the things we do each day are seen by no one else but our own family.  We get no recognition, no medals, no praise…just more work to be done.  While I would not trade this life for anything, it still has its challenges…and SO MANY rewards!

There are some days that I battle just to get food on the table, our homeschool done, and have kept some semblance of peace among the children.  It is in those days that I tend to feel defeated.  I find it hard at times to put one foot in front of the other and keep “marching”.  There are going to be times when I wonder exactly why I should keep going…why keep “marching” when I don’t see anything happening…no fruit…no victory.  It is in those times that I have to remember that God calls me to obedience and I must trust Him for the fruit..the “results”…the victory.

I simply must continue to march on…quietly…obediently…trusting Him.

What about you?

Do you find yourself overwhelmed with all the challenges of life?  What is your “Jericho” right now?  Your job?  Parenting?  Homeschooling? Your health?  Finances?  Feelings of defeat?

Do you feel you are “marching” in circles and don’t see any end in sight?

STOP NOW!  Spend time with the Lord, lay at His feet whatever “Jericho” is in your life right now…acknowledge it is His battle, get to know Him more through Bible study and prayer, listen for His marching orders, then walk in quiet obedience and trust…knowing that the victory is His…in His time.

March on in quiet obedience….victory is near!


Related posts:

Being Intentional = Walking in Love and ObedienceBeing Intentional = Walking in Love and Obedience! Learning to Trust God - 3 Lessons from Moses and IsraelitesLearning to Trust God {3 Lessons From Our Study of Moses and the Israelites} The most important thing a mom can do… Learning to love WHILE simplifying!

Check out some of my homeschooling ebooks!

Wisdom Words from Proverbs
Leaves of Life - Daily Copywork Through the Year
Simply Cursive

«
»

Filed Under: Family, Homeschool Tagged With: Devotional Thoughts, Family Life

Comments

  1. Kim says

    August 5 at 1:00 pm

    God’s timing is perfect! I needed to read this today and I appreciate your honesty so much!! Thank you for sharing this ❤️ you are a great encourager.
    Reply
    • Sheri Graham says

      August 5 at 2:20 pm

      So glad this encouraged you today Kim!
      Reply
  2. RaShell says

    September 23 at 3:58 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing. I needed this word today! I appreciate you listening and sharing. May God give us strength to keep marching on quietly.
    Reply
    • Sheri Graham says

      September 23 at 4:19 pm

      I actually wrote this a while back and forgot about it, so I pulled it out and posted it. I know I needed to read it again and be reminded of it :)!
      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You have to agree to the comment policy.

Meet Sheri

Check out some of my homeschooling ebooks!

A History of the United States and Its People
Simply Cursive
The Story Book of Science

My Audio School Website

If you enjoy listening to audio books, you will LOVE this website!  Molly has done a wonderful job compiling tons of audio books and organized them by categories.  While she asks for a yearly subscription of $14.99 for access to ALL the audio books on the site, there are a wealth offered for free.  Hop […]

Sponsor a child in Jesus' name!

Categories

Important Links

  • Affiliates
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Privacy Policy
Brainwashed America DocuMovie

Copyright © 2021 · Delightful theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2021 · Delightful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in