The fact that God has promised us victory over our enemy is evidence that we will face trouble. Every barrier in our path is a barrier the enemy has put there to stop our progress. Notice the evidence of our victory according to Philippians 1:28:
“Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself” (NLT).
God promises us success over our enemies, but we must see ourselves in the light of God’s Word instead of our circumstances. By faith, we must see our circumstances changing to conform to God’s plan for our future. We are healed, righteous and welcome in His presence. We are accepted just as we are. We are a joy to the heart of our Heavenly Father.
Before the children of Israel could see victory, they had to follow God’s clear directions. They were to march around Jericho six days without saying a word. On the seventh day they were to march around the city seven times, and then shout until the walls of the city fell down. This was by far the most uncommon military plan in all of history. Yet, no matter how uncommon the plan, Israel was expected to follow it.
God’s ways are hard to grasp to the person still ruled by natural thinking, unbelief, or fear. Yet, without God’s plan for action His promises will never be realized. We can want the right things, wish and hope for them, but without God’s plan they will only be a dream.
But with God’s plan we can move with confidence knowing God is walking with us every step of the way. We must realize that God’s uncommon plans will bring uncommon results!
But God’s uncommon plan will always require uncommon action—intentions are not enough. Every step forward into God’s plan will require a fresh commitment to step out in faith and beyond our feelings. We cannot go forward with God while relying on our previous level of commitment.
Real change comes through receiving God’s plan and acting on that plan. For many, the intention to do what they know has taken the place of actually doing it. Intentions alone are never enough. God does not bless our intentions. He only blesses our actions based on faith in His Word.
If we intend on reading the Bible, praying, giving, or forgiving but do not actually follow through, there can be no fruit. Usually we know what to do but simply fail to act. If we are not acting on what we believe, we are deceiving ourselves (see James 1:22).
Joshua received the plan for victory over Jericho and was bold to act. He commanded the people to do exactly as he was instructed. They were bold to obey and expected to see the power of God bring the walls of the city down at their feet.
The obstacles in our lives can fall, but it may mean we must do something uncommon. We may give an uncommon offering, bless someone in an uncommon way, forgive when it would not be expected, love with uncommon love. When we do the uncommon, we are destined to see supernatural, uncommon results.
