The Jericho account in the opening chapters of the book of Joshua is full of faith, with Rahab’s and Joshua’s faith rising to the top. But we must be careful not to miss another great example of faith: that of the Israelite soldiers. Here we see an army ready to go to war and likely filled with anticipation and nervousness. And yet, for six days, God had them take a stroll around their enemy’s fortified city. Surely, this was frustrating for the Israelite soldiers. Perhaps even demoralizing as they had six good, long, close looks at their enemy’s defenses. They could see the thickness and height of the city walls. They could appreciate the size of the city they walked around. Perhaps they even saw and heard the enemy troops as well.

Then, finally, on the seventh day, they were called to action – although it was not the action a soldier would expect. It must not have made much sense to the Israelite soldiers. It must have been frustrating. And yet, they did exactly what God had called them to do – in obedience and in faith. Sometimes God calls us to act in faith; at other times, like here, He calls on us not to act, in faith.

Consider a time in your life when God’s plan was simply to move. How willing were you to follow His simple instruction? Why?