Jun 19
Today’s Truth
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV)
Friend to Friend
Can I make a confession? Sometimes I quit too soon. I’ve quit when what I really needed to do was press on and press through. Sometimes I’ve gotten tired of trying. Sometimes I’ve gotten tired of the struggle. And you know what? I’ve missed many blessings because I got tired of the battle. I don’t want to do that any longer. I’m taking my cues from Joshua.
The battle plan to take the Promised Land was as simple as it was strange. March around the city of Jericho with all the armed men. Do this in silence, once a day for six days. Then on the seventh day, walk around seven times with the priests blowing the trumpets. Have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go straight in.
Now, that was a strange plan. God’s infinite ways often don’t make sense in our finite minds. Sometimes you have to be willing to look ridiculous and be radical to live a remarkable life. The choices you make when you feel God’s nudge will become the hinges on which your destiny swings. Each individual decision you make, to obey or ignore God’s promptings and directives, is a thread that weaves the tapestry of your life.
Jericho was tightly shut up. Sometimes it can feel that our promises are tightly shut up. That doesn’t mean that we give up. That means that we suit up, step up, and keep moving forward.
God said, “See, I have delivered them into your hands.” Notice that verb tense. God did not say, “I will deliver them into your hands.” He said, “I have delivered them into your hands.” He had already done it, but they had to obey and put their foot down to receive it. I love how God speaks in past tense to our present problems.
But here’s the conundrum: What do you do when what God says doesn’t match up with what you see? When all you see is a big wall standing between your promise and your present situation?
There will be times when you are doing everything you know to do, and you still don’t see any movement. The Israelites walked around Jericho for six days, and as far as they could tell, nothing happened. I’m sure it unnerved the people behind the wall, but as far as the walkers could tell, not one brick fell.
This is where many give up—when they don’t see any progress. The son is still taking drugs. The daughter is still living with her boyfriend. The husband is still cold and aloof. The bank account is almost empty.
“God, throw me a bone,” I cry. “Show me a little something! Let me see just a hint of progress! Can I see one brick fall?” And God says, “Keep walking … by faith.”
Just because you don’t see God working does not mean that He isn’t. Jesus said, “My Father is always at work” (John 5:17). The writer of Hebrews notes: “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:35).
Today, you might be on lap number seven and not even know it. Joshua told them to march around Jericho, but he didn’t tell them how many times they were going to have to do it. He just said to “march forward” and “remain silent.”
Suppose they had stopped on day six saying, “This is ridiculous. I’m not feelin’ it. Not one stone has fallen to the ground. I don’t see any progress. Those folks are probably in there laughing their heads off. I’m going home.”
They would have missed the blessing.
I wonder how many times I have missed the blessing because I stopped too soon. Perhaps you’ve wondered:
- How much longer will I have to wait until God brings my prodigal home?
- How much longer will I have to struggle with this unbelieving husband?
- How much longer will I have to endure this dead-end job?
- How much longer will I have to go without a job?
- How many more laps will I have to walk around Jericho before the walls come tumbling down and I can take hold of my Promised Land?
I don’t know the answer to your question of how much longer, but I do know this, tomorrow could be the final lap. Don’t give up too soon.
Can I tell you something? Sometimes I get tired of writing books, posting devotions, and crafting blogs. But as I sit down to the keyboard, I realize that something I say might be just what someone needs to take that last lap around her walled up promise. So I write. And then someone has the courage and sustenance to take one more lap.
Keep going, my friend!
Let’s Pray
Lord, sometimes I just get tired of trying. Tired of hanging on. Tired of believing for a miracle. Fill me with Your power to persevere. I’ll take the next step and believe for the next day. I will not give up!
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Let’s Keep in Touch
June 30, 2023, Girlfriends in God is coming to a close. Thank you for linking arms with us in ministry for the past 17 years. We still want to share life with you! Click here to continue receiving devotions from Sharon Jaynes on Tuesdays. Click here to continue receiving devotions from Mary Southerland on Wednesdays. Click here to continue receiving devotions from Gwen Smith on Thursdays.
Now It’s Your Turn
Go back and read the story of Joshua and the fall of the wall of Jericho in Joshua 5:13-6:21. I know it ends in a bloody mess. The Sunday school teachers left that part off the flannel board story. Don’t get stuck on that. Concentrate on those laps around the wall. On what day do you think you would have started grumbling?
On what day do you think you would have thought Joshua had a crazy plan? On what day would you have wanted to give up? On what day did they see the victory?
I hope this gives you hope! Keep going! One more day. One more lap. But who knows, it could be your last.
More from the Girlfriends
Today’s devotion comes from my book, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For: Let Go, Move Forward, Live Bold. Let’s take hold of all that Jesus has already taken hold of for us and placed in us! Check it out at www.takeholdthebook.com where you can download a free chapter and watch a video book trailer. The book also comes with a Bible study guide.
Need a little help knowing what words to say and what words to avoid with your adult children? Click here for a FREE resource that will help build your relationship.
©2023 by Sharon Jaynes. All rights reserved.
Thanks so much Sharon for today. I so needed to be reminded to wait because I know Gods got this but how easy it is to forget when we are caught up in daily life. I want to rest and wait on Him.
Sharon
Your devotion was so meant for me today. I have wanted to give up on my son with the drug addiction I have said I’m not praying about this anymore because nothing is changing and this situation has so warn me down. But each day I ask God for the strength when I watch this behavior and to please change it. I just have the faith to believe that God is going to change this. I know everyone has situations that they are praying for a break from it. I also know satan would love to see me give up and give in but I’m not going to give up. Im going to keep praying and believing.
Blessings
Your devotion today was so encouraging! Years ago God led us to adopt a 3 yr old little girl from Russia. She has been a handful from day 1 due to very poor prenatal care. She’s been diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome, ADHD, Asperger’s syndrome, bipolar, & reactive attachment disorder. God also led me to homeschool her so I spent 24/7 with this very difficult child! Also my husband travelled a lot with his work so I was a single parent much of the time. When she got into her teens, she began hanging out with bad friends, she got into drugs, & got pregnant twice (one was stillborn & the other was given up for adoption to a wonderful couple who lets my husband & me be involved in her life-a miracle story but I’ll save it for another day). There were times I was afraid of her. She’s been in & out of 5 behavioral facilities. We were finally advised by the police to leave town for our own safety so we left the town we had lived in for 33 years & moved 4 hours away! And just about the time I’m ready to give up on her, we start seeing improvements in her well being & I read this devotion! We know beyond a doubt that God led us to adopt her. When I tell people the ways God showed us, they say we need to write a book…& I plan to one day but I’m waiting for the ending. Thanks for reminding me to hang in there! The best is yet to come!
Blessings to you Sharon!
I just wrote quick notes in my journal, which will help me with my weak strength regarding my family’s attitude towards salvation!
The writing for me, was just a reminder. One more day, one more prayer; using hope as my “driver” for my faith to keep moving forward!
Thank you!
Just take the next lap!
Sharon, I know that herding this flock is a burden sometimes, but know this: You do make a difference in SO many people’s lives. I’m part of a small forum of believers with whom I write often. I sometimes hear criticism but I try to envision even one person my writing is changing. Then it’s all worth it. I imagine the number of lives you change and enrich every day is enormous. You might not see it because most people don’t comment, but trust me, we are here!
I do so appreciate you, Sharon. I will be following your blog when you step down from GiG but lament its passing. May God richly bless you, dear sister!
Thank you sweet friend. Comments are such an encouragement. It helps me know I’m not out there alone. I’ll see you over at sharonjaynes.com!
I’ll take the next step and believe for the next day. I will not give up!
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Don’t give up!
Thank you. This spoke to my heart. I’ve been praying for my husband and our marriage for years. This gives me hope.
I”m so glad!
This was such a great reminder to press on! I will miss Girlfriends in God. I’ve been reading the devotions for years. It won’t be same without you all together! Thank you for your dedication through the years!
Keep going!
“tomorrow could be the final lap. Don’t give up too soon.”
This one speak to me so hard. I just told my husband today that I’m overwhelmed and I can’t do anything. I’m also struggling of taking care of my kids. I believe, maybe tomorrow could be more different from today’s situation. This also reminds me not to give up and the Lord is always there with you.
Funny how you shared that sometimes you don’t want to write. I would kill to make an actual living off the work I feel called to (which interestingly, my other devo was about envy which isn’t a feeling I normally experience). Thank you for your obedience today in writing as this has encouraged me a lot to continue. Many lessons to digest
Girlfriends in God-thank you so much for your beautiful devotions.They have lifted me up when I needed it most.May the days ahead for all of you be filled with God’s blessings.
Sharon,
Your words have encouraged me to just keep going that next lap. My son has a birth defect that is fatal and his father and I have chosen to cherish every moment we get with him. My due date is approaching and some days I feel I can’t go on, but your words were so encouraging to my heart today. Thank you.
Sharon,
Your words have encouraged me to just keep going that next lap. My son has a birth defect that is fatal and his father and I have chosen to cherish every moment we get with him. My due date is approaching and some days I feel I can’t go on, but your words were so encouraging to my heart today. Thank you.
Thank you for continuing to walk the laps, Sharon. Know that your efforts to keep going make a difference in countless lives. May the Lord richly bless you and your family as you travel a new road.
Thank you so much for keeping on writing. Your messages through the years have meant so much in my life.
Dear Sara Edwards, I was in the middle of the same situation 2 years ago, mine had trisomy 13 that is known as a death sentence.
We did the choise as you: cherish every moment until the due date. And we did so.
I just want to encourage today to embrace de truth that God’s will is good, pleasant and perfect. It too me a long while to fully understand it with this particular situation, but I did.
My heart is with yours Sara and I pray for you three: your husband, your baby and you.
An amazing website, a friend of mine just introduced me to this wonderful website, and I can say I have been blessed reading this devotional and my faith in God that has been week, has be up, I am very grateful to the website owners, God bless you and your family really good
Glory be to God for your devotion and willingness to continue to write and share. I am so encouraged by today’s devotion, I have felt discouraged over my son’s drug addiction and another son’s life choices. I will continue praying , trusting and believing in God’ divine healing for my sons.