“Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
— Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
After Moses, God chose Joshua to lead His people. That felt like a very big job! But God made Joshua a promise: “Be strong and brave. I will be with you wherever you go.”
God’s people came to a city called Jericho. It had tall, thick walls all around it, with big gates that were shut up tight. How would they ever get in? Only God knew.
God gave Joshua a very strange plan. He said, “March around the city one time every day for six days. Have the priests blow their trumpets as you go.” It did not sound like a battle plan at all!
So that is just what they did. Every day they marched quietly around Jericho, one time, while the trumpets played. One day. Two days. Three days. They trusted God and kept going.
On the seventh day, God said to march around seven times. Then the priests gave a long, loud trumpet blast, and Joshua shouted, “Shout! The Lord has given you the city!” So everyone shouted as loud as they could.
And right then, the great big walls of Jericho came tumbling down! God had kept His promise. He had been with Joshua the whole time, just like He said.
The Big Idea
Joshua trusted God and obeyed, even when the plan seemed strange. We can be strong and brave too, because God is always with us.
Reflect & Discuss
- 1.What did God promise Joshua at the very beginning?
- 2.How did the people get into the city of Jericho?
- 3.When is a time you need to be strong and brave?
A Prayer
Dear God, thank You for being with Joshua, and for being with me too. Help me to be strong and brave, and to trust Your plan even when I don’t understand it. Amen.
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