Closer the Victory...the Harder it Gets

Anyone who has grown up around church has probably heard about the Wall of Jericho about a hundred times.

You may have even re-enacted the story in Sunday School by marching around blocks as a little kid.

But the real wall of Jericho wasn't made of blocks.

In fact, history tells us it was actually two walls. And exterior retaining wall about 12-17 ft and a wall behind that about 25 ft. tall. It surrounded a town that was probably 9 acres.

Can you imagine marching around that?

The people of Israel did. They marched once around the wall for six days.

But on the seventh day something changed.

According to what God told the Israelites, it was the last day for them to march  around the wall before it would come crashing down to the ground. You think God would give them a break. After all, they were so close.

But that's not what happened.

God actually asked them to march longer. This day they had to march around the wall seven times.

As I read this, something jumped out at me.

Sometimes the closer the victory...the harder it gets.

Sometimes when God's about to answer a long awaited prayer or deliver us from the circumstances we're in, He asks us to dig deeper than we ever have to achieve victory.

And that ecnouraged me because honestly, it's been really rough lately. But I feel like God is telling me to fight harder and not give up no matter what.

If you're where I am right now and it seems as if things are getting harder not easier...have hope. Because victory might be just around the corner.