What's Your Jericho Song?
On the way home yesterday, Jericho Song by Rend Collective was one of the songs that came on. My son was singing some of the lyrics, but it was clear he didn’t know all the words, which isn’t surprising because it’s a newer addition to our playlist. A few minutes later he asked me about one particular line in that song. I had to admit I didn’t know since I haven’t memorized the lyrics of this song myself. I told him I’d look them up and get back to him. Last night I looked them up and thought about them for awhile. I realized I haven’t read the story of Jericho in the Bible for quite some time and decided to read it too. As is so often the case, even in a Bible passage I’m pretty familiar with, some things jumped out at me. (h/t Holy Spirit!) The lyrics of the song and our current status as a society were also on my mind. First, let me share the lyrics. Then, some Scripture. I’ll add a few comments after that.
We're drowning out the lies of the enemy
We’re turning up the anthem that set us free
Your mighty name will ever be
The soundtrack of our victory
We're lifting up Your praise like a battle cry
The thunder of Your name breaks apart the night
Your matchless grace will ever be
The soundtrack of our victory
[Chorus]
Our God, You will tear down the walls
Our God, You are invincible
The strongholds crumble like castles of sand
As we shout loud our Jericho song
Yes, all around the world we're the church alive
We’re fighting on our knees with revival fire
Our King shall reign and ever be
The soundtrack of our victory
Every wall is crumblin' is tumblin' down
Every wall is crumblin' is tumblin' down
Every wall is crumblin' is tumblin' down
At Your name, Jesus
Jos 5:13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?”
Jos 5:14 And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?”
Jos 5:15 And the commander of the LORD's army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
Jos 6:1 Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in.
Jos 6:2 And the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor.
Jos 6:3 You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days.
Jos 6:4 Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.
Jos 6:5 And when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.”
—Joshua 5:13-6:5
You can finish reading the story HERE!
When I look at the lyrics of the song and this passage of Scripture, a few things stand out to me:
Drowning out lies of the enemy (with truth in God’s Word)
Turning up the anthem that set us free (the gospel — volume must be increased!)
God’s name is continuously praised and exalted
It’s GOD who tears down the strongholds and makes walls crumble (not us!)
The church is alive and fighting for revival on our knees (through prayer!)
Joshua’s IMMEDIATE reaction in humility and readiness to obey (verses 5:13-14)
The priests are on the frontlines
If we want to see things change in our lives, society etc. we need to take note of Joshua and implement the themes of this song. When facing the unknown, which is basically everyday (I can’t tell the future, can you?), do we bow/pause before God and ask, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” We say we’re about following God’s will, but do we regularly seek it? We don’t want to be overwhelmed with the lies of the enemy, but are we combatting them with the truth of God’s Word or are we fighting him in our own strength? If it’s the gospel which sets us free and not our own merit (Hint: It is!), then doesn’t the volume need to be turned up by both reminding ourselves and telling others about the gospel? Are we doing that regularly? Or maybe we like to keep the sound down? Perhaps we prefer other soundtracks to our lives? Is making sure God’s name is continuously praised and exalted a priority for you or are you more focused with others seeing you in a better light? (“He must increase, but I must decrease.” — John 3:30) Do we trust and believe that it’s God and God alone who tears down strongholds both in our individual lives and for societies? Yes, God often uses people to do this, but let’s not mistake God using us as tools for us possessing the power and ability on our own. A tool is only as useful as the One using it! Do we want to be used by God or do we want to act like we’re accomplishing things on our own when we’re really just tools shuffling around in a toolbox? Forget about the modern church being alive or fighting for revival on our knees because we definitely get a failing grade there. How about you though? Are YOU doing that? The failing started with individuals slacking off and not being accountable to each other. Churches are made up of individuals. If individuals aren’t committed to this, how can we expect even a local church to be alive in this way? We don’t need to worry about the big church which includes all believers so much (although it never hurts to pray for them), but should be focused on building up each other in our local body. We see this attitude of humility, readiness, desire to obey, and leaders leading in the story of Joshua and Jericho. Leaders don’t just need to lead because they have leadership abilities, but more importantly they need to lead because God called them to lead! What stands out in the story of Jericho (other than the uniqueness of God’s directions) is that everyone actually obeys the commands from God. It starts with Joshua and the priests (the leaders) and goes all the way down. Everyone is committed to following God! Do you know any groups of believers like that? Are you part of one? Is that a priority for you? I don’t know about you, but before I start singing out my Jericho song I have some self-examination and difficult questions awaiting me. I hope you’ll join me in preparing for the march! Make sure you check out this awesome video too…