Foolish Commands

           God often tells his people to do things which, at first, seem so out of the ordinary.  Sometimes, a lot out of the ordinary.  Just look at the Bible.  Remember that time in the wilderness when God's people were being bitten by poisonous snakes?  They cried out to Him for help.  So God told Moses to make a snake out of bronze, put it up on a pole, and tell everybody who had been bitten to turn to it for healing -now that's what I call a strange antidote for snakebite! 

            And remember when the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land to fight?  They had spent decades in the desert honing their skills, facing hardship, fighting the elements, strengthening their bodies and minds, and forging themselves into one people.  After 40 years were up, they stood on the edge of the Jordan River looking out over to the city of Jericho... and they were ready to go, ready to fight. Let's get this battle on!  Let's conquer the land and subdue our enemies!

            So God gathered Joshua and all the leaders and spread His battle plan out on the table. Now you would have expected a gathering of arms, a sharpening of swords and spears, and a polishing of armor.  But God did something very odd.  It almost looked foolish.  He basically told his people to march around the city seven times, then blow a bunch of trumpets real loud.  That was God's battle plan? That was his strategy to conquer a walled city?  Now, I'm sure by the time God's people were on their fifth lap around the city, the citizens of Jericho must've been having a good laugh -- "look at those guys... they are so weird!"

            But it just goes to show that what starts out looking foolish and out of the ordinary -- even downright strange - sometimes it ends up as the most incredible victory.  Because the walls of Jericho came tumbling down and the battle was won. 

            First Corinthians 1 says, "The foolishness of God is far wiser than human wisdom."  Hey, friend, the Lord may be asking you to do something today that seems downright odd, weird, strange, foolish, and almost, well... silly.  But isn't that just like God to ask you to do that? If He asked us to do something that fit within our logic and understanding, then where would our faith come in?!  When God asks us to follow him in His foolishness, it's not only a chance for our faith to grow stronger, but it's an opportunity for God's glory to shine all the brighter.  Because when everybody sees the victory, the walls come tumbling down, they will know that God has done it in your life and you haven't done it in your own strength.  And that is good! The stakes are high -- others are watching.  God may be telling you to do something strange, something that looks a little foolish, but please do not dare hesitate.  You've got marching orders and a big blessing in store for others and for you. Just wait, just watch! Those walls will come tumbling down!

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