Love That Never Fails

38. Do It Again

Strategies for combatting a world wide pandemic were very carefully thought out by leaders around the world. Many experts were consulted and a great deal of data collected. However it was frustrating when even the most careful planning led to defeat with numbers of new cases spiralling out of control every day.

Joshua could have faced defeat against the fortified city of Jericho but he listened to the most carefully thought out plan, with strategies given directly by the Lord. Notice that this was not just a plan with a question mark over the outcome but Joshua had assurance that Jericho had already been delivered into his hands:

"Then the Lord said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.""
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭6:2-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How reassuring that they were to enter this battle from a position of victory! Wouldn't we love to have such certainty in the fight against COVID-19? Notice that the Lord's strategies are followed precisely and produce the best results possible!

"On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, "Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent.

When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city."
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭6:15-17, 20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We all face walls of one kind or another as we journey on but the thing we need to remember is that as Christians, we come into each situation in a position of victory. Just when we feel like things will never change, God breaks down our walls of fear as we trust in His perfect plan. Be assured that He will continue to do it again and again —His plans never fail!

Walking around these walls
I thought by now they'd fall
But You have never failed me yet
Waiting for change to come
Knowing the battle's won
For You have never failed me yet

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I'm still in Your hands
This is my confidence, You've never failed me yet

I know the night won't last
Your Word will come to pass
My heart will sing Your praise again
Jesus, You're still enough
Keep me within Your love
My heart will sing Your praise again

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I'm still in Your hands
This is my confidence, You never failed me yet

I've seen You move, You move the mountains
And I believe, I'll see You do it again
You made a way, where there was no way
And I believe, I'll see You do it again
(Do It Again - Elevation Worship)

Let's pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your great faithfulness to me, in taking care of me and bringing me through this day. Thank You for the wisdom of my leaders and for the strategies they put in place to save lives whether we agreed with every measure or not. Lord there has been so much controversy especially regarding vaccines and I pray that You would bless all who have had ongoing issues and side effects with them and also with Long Covid. Sometimes it feels like we are walking around the walls of Jericho and not seeing any progress.

Lord let them see that You can bring victory in all our trying circumstances. Do it again Lord! I trust in Your promises! Thank You for Your love and that I am still in Your hands.
Amen.