Have you ever felt like God was asking you to do something that made absolutely no sense? Something so unconventional that you questioned whether you heard Him correctly? If so, you’re in excellent company. The story of Joshua at Jericho reveals a powerful truth: sometimes God’s strategy is completely unconventional, and that’s exactly when we know it’s Him.
Standing on Holy Ground in Ordinary Places
Before we dive into the famous battle of Jericho, let’s set the stage. Joshua and the Israelites had just witnessed an incredible miracle – God had parted the Jordan River, allowing them to cross on dry ground. This wasn’t just a convenient crossing; it was a declaration. Their enemies heard about it, and according to Joshua 5:1, “Their hearts melted in fear and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.”
But here’s what strikes me most about this story: before the great victory came a moment of holy recognition. Joshua encountered a mysterious figure – the commander of the Lord’s army – who told him, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.”
The Power of Consecration
This wasn’t the first time someone had been told to remove their sandals. Moses heard the same command at the burning bush. What made these ordinary places suddenly holy? God’s presence. His activity. His preparation for something extraordinary.
Earlier in Joshua’s journey, he had told the people to “consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you” (Joshua 3:5). The word consecrate means to set yourself apart, to pursue holiness, to chase after Jesus with everything you have.
When God’s Strategy Doesn’t Make Sense
Now we come to one of the most unconventional military strategies in history. God told Joshua and his army to march around the heavily fortified city of Jericho once a day for six days, then seven times on the seventh day. No attacking. No siege weapons. Just walking and trumpet sounds. And then – shout, and the walls would collapse.
Imagine being in that army. You’ve prepared for battle, sharpened your weapons, and psyched yourself up for combat. Instead, you’re told to take a leisurely stroll around the enemy city. For a week.
Can you picture that first night back at camp? The confused looks, the whispered conversations: “What exactly are we doing here? This doesn’t feel like a battle plan.”
The Beauty of Unconventional Obedience
But here’s the remarkable thing: Joshua didn’t just receive this crazy instruction from God – he confidently communicated it to his people. “Do not give a war cry. Do not raise your voices. Do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!” (Joshua 6:10).
Sometimes following God means doing things that:
- Don’t make logical sense
- Feel inefficient or wasteful
- Make others question your judgment
- Require complete dependence on Him rather than your own abilities
Modern-Day Walls Falling Down
This isn’t just an ancient story. God is still in the business of doing unconventional things today. I’ve watched Him work in ways that defy explanation, where the only response is worship because you know you can’t take credit for what happened.
Think about it: Jesus Himself chose the most unconventional path to victory. He conquered death and hell by dying on a cross. The way of Jesus has always been upside down, backwards from human logic.
When Pride Becomes the Real Enemy
Sometimes what we think is our biggest obstacle isn’t actually the main issue. Like Cam, a young man who thought his barrier to faith was intellectual doubt. He was analytical, had questions, and couldn’t make sense of it all. But when God began working in his heart at summer camp, Cam realized his real barriers weren’t intellectual – they were pride and selfishness.
“I was just too proud to think that I could be weak for God or anyone,” he shared. When those walls of pride came tumbling down, Jesus walked right in.
Identifying Your Jericho Moment
So what is God asking you to do that seems unconventional right now? Where is He calling you to trust His plan even when it doesn’t make sense?
Maybe it’s:
- Choosing forgiveness when you’d rather hold a grudge
- Starting over in your career when you’re comfortable where you are
- Being vulnerable in a relationship when you prefer control
- Stepping into ministry when you feel unqualified
- Giving generously when your budget feels tight
- Saying yes to Jesus for the very first time
The Faith-Building Power of Obedience
Here’s what I love about Joshua’s story: every time he said yes to God’s unconventional plans, his faith grew stronger. He watched God part the Jordan River, and that prepared him to trust God’s crazy strategy at Jericho. Each act of obedience built his confidence for the next impossible thing.
That’s how faith works. When you step into the craziness God is calling you to, you find yourself saying, “What’s next, Lord? I want more. Give me all the Jesus!”
Overcoming the Critics
Be prepared: when you live an unconventional life of faith, people will try to explain away the miracles. They’ll discount God’s hand in your story and attribute everything to natural causes or coincidence. Don’t let them steal your worship.
You know your story. You know where God got you from. You know what He rescued you from and what He’s placed in your heart. When the walls of your impossible situation come crashing down, you’ll know it was Him.
Taking Your Next Unconventional Step
As you consider what God might be calling you to do, remember that His strategies often seem backwards because they’re designed so that when He shows up, you’ll know it wasn’t you. The plan will be so unconventional, so impossible in human terms, that the only explanation for success is God.
This is holy ground we’re standing on. This is a consecration moment. God is doing amazing things, and He wants to include you in the story.
The Invitation to Trust
The Israelites learned to listen to God through their unconventional experiences. They discovered that when God gives unusual instructions, the results are equally unusual – and undeniably miraculous.
What walls are standing in your way today? What enemy is causing your heart to melt in fear? Remember this: that same enemy is trembling because they know your God. They know His power, His faithfulness, and His love for you.
The question isn’t whether God can handle your impossible situation. The question is: will you trust Him enough to follow His unconventional plan?
Take off your sandals. You’re standing on holy ground. God is about to do something amazing, and He’s inviting you to be part of it. The walls are about to fall – not because of your strength or strategy, but because of His power working through your obedience.
Are you ready to march around your Jericho? Are you prepared for God to show up in ways that don’t make sense but make perfect faith? The victory is already yours. Now it’s time to walk in it.
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