Today is day one of our Jericho walk. I want to point out a really important part of the instructions that were given to the Israelites before they embarked on day one…they were commanded to be silent. Don’t speak…God instructed them. Do you know why?
From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:20-21
And
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:3-6
As you can see, the tongue is powerful. I imagine God didn’t want any grumbling or complaining to happen during this sovereign walk. He needed full agreement. So, as we start our “walk” today, I encourage you…no I implore you to commit to not saying one single negative word about whatever it is your wall consists of during this next seven days. Let this week be a kind of word fast. Set it in your heart to let your words be few, and to definitely not speak negatively.
This could prove to be a challenge, but I am fully confident that if we follow through with this, we will see some great miracles occurring in our lives.
This is also a great opportunity to work on self-control. That’s the reason taming the tongue is so difficult…most of us lack self-control. But as one part of the fruit of the Spirit, it’s a worthy thing to pursue. Self-control…it’s a challenge.
Let’s come together in prayer right now and lay our Jericho wall prayer request before the Lord.
God, here I am. I come to You freely and willingly, and dedicate this next seven days to bringing (fill in the blank) to You. I commit to not speaking negatively over this seven days, and I will keep my words at a minimum too. I ask that You begin to shake the poor foundations in my life, and prepare me to walk into victory. I surrender to You now. I ask that You consecrate my heart and mind. To the Jericho wall in my life I say, “You must come down in Jesus’ name.” Thank You God for Your faithfulness. Bless me and my family. Thank You for Your assurance of victory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 2 Chronicles 20:15
365 Days in the Presence 