Monday, October 27, 2014

Walls ...And Why They Gotta Go




It started as a simple walk to work.
After all, I had looked ahead at the forecast, and clearly today could quite possibly be the last time in 2014 that this fair-weather-walker-girl would have the chance.

And whenever I walk, He talks.

I'm not sure if He speaks louder, or I listen better, but either way, I heard Him. 

It started with a song...(by the way, I sound like a RockStar when I'm alone)...
                                    And I will praise You in this storm
                                    I will lift my hands
                                    For You are who You are
                                    No matter where I am
                                   And every tear I've cried
                                   You hold in Your hand
                                   You never left my side
                                   And though my heart is torn
                                   I will praise You in this storm


I wasn't all that surprised to hear the lyrics on my lips. You see, I not only love the song, I was in the middle of praying for some friends who are currently struggling with everything from finances to family, from health or hearing Him, from stress to sadness.  And God has been showing me the importance of praising Him in the midst of problems. Singing in the center of storms. Worshiping despite walls. 

Walls.   

Walls.
 
I heard the word over and over.

Think Tera, think. The bible story with the walls. 
Joshua. Yep, that's it.
Joshua. Jericho. You know, the walls came tumbling down..... (go ahead, sing it if you know it)

"Is that it God? Do you want me to spend time there today? Is there something You want to show me there today?"

I smile even now as I write, remembering what felt like His warm smile upon me (it was indeed a gorgeous sun), and with a tilt of His head, He whispered, "Yes."

                                    Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Look, I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its fighting men.  March around the city with your army once a day for six days.  Have seven priests carry trumpets made from horns of male sheep and have them march in front of the Ark. On the seventh day march around the city seven times and have the priests blow the trumpets as they march. They will make one long blast on the trumpets. When you hear that sound, have all the people give a loud shout. Then the walls of the city will fall so the people can go straight into the city.” ~Joshua 6:2-5 NCV

Can we just stop and and feel for poor Josh a minute here? 
"Let me get this straight God, in the middle of a major attack, you want us to............offer praise?"  Yup.

That's a great story God, it really is, but.......what does it have to do with my prayers? for myself? for others?

My child,
Look at all the walls. They're everywhere.
Some my children built for themselves, some were constructed for them. 
Either way, they are not protection.....they are BARRIERS.

                   The people of Jericho were afraid because the Israelites were near. They closed the city gates and guarded them. No one went into the city, and no one came out. ~Joshua 6:1 NCV
 
No one can get in. That's true. 
But more importantly, you can not get out. 

                                 



Walls of insecurity.  Walls of excuses.  Walls of jealousy.  Walls of fear.  Walls of uncertainty.  Walls of worry.  Walls of selfishness.  Walls of despair.  Walls of greed.  Walls of comparison.  Walls of anger.  Walls of unforgiveness.  Walls of hurt.  Walls of separation.  Let's face it, even our Facebook page is called our.......Wall.  And although it offers us a way to connect in some ways, doesn't it also serve as a wall that has taken away a part of our human face-to-face interactions?

I kept walking.  He kept talking.

There's only one way to tear down the walls my daughter..........Praise.

Praise?
Are you kidding me?  
With everything I'm going through? With everything they are going through?

    "But God....I'm hurting."  "But God.....it's not fair."  "But God....I'm angry."  "But God.....I'm scared."  "But God.....I can't."  "But God......I'm worried."  "But God.............."
  
That's right. You heard right. The Power is in the Praise.
Praise:
the act of expressing approval or admiration.
the offering of grateful homage in words or song, as an act of worship

Praise.  It's what we do for Him. It's what we bring to Him. And when we do.......the enemy runs.
                     
                                So submit yourselves to the one true God and fight against the devil and his schemes. If you do, he will run away in failure. ~ James 4:7 Voice


  
Praise.  
Arm yourself with it.  
Use it. 
Raise your hands. 
Raise your voice. 
Bring Him the offering of.....Praise. 
There is nothing more powerful.

                                  
 
 When the priests blew the trumpets, the people shouted. At the sound of the trumpets and the people’s shout, the walls fell, and everyone ran straight into the city. So the Israelites defeated that city. ~Joshua 6:20       

You can do it my friend. We both can. Praise.