The story is well known. At the beginning of the Israelites' conquest of the Promised Land, the fortified city of Jericho was blocking their advance and had to be destroyed. So the Lord instructed Joshua to command his troops to march around the city walls silently for six days, and on the seventh day to march round seven times as the priests blew trumpets. A final long trumpet blast was to be the signal for all the Israelites to shout, and God promised that the walls would then collapse (Joshua 6:2-5).

What a strange strategy. There was no precedent for that kind of warfare. The men and their leaders may have thought that God's instruction was foolish, leaving them exposed to snipers from within the city. They were to make no noise to frighten their enemy, as some armies did (Joshua 6:10). Instead there was only the sound of the whole army marching. Perhaps the people in Jericho thought that they might give up and go away, but they had heard that Israel's God was awesome in battle (Joshua 2:9-11), and they were in great fear.

On the seventh day, after marching around seven times, the long trumpet blast started the shouts of thousands of fighting men. And then with a rumble of moving stonework, the walls collapsed on every side of the fortress-town. The Israelites were now in position all around the city to go into the ruins, destroying all that was against the Lord and then burning the city and everything in it (Joshua 6:20-21, 24), except what the Lord commanded to be taken out (Joshua 6:19, 25). What a lot happened in a week. A traditional seige would have lasted months. But the Lord's method conquered the city, inspired the troops for the next battles, warned the Canaanites of God's great power and taught the troops a big lesson. When God commands, obey: however foolish it might appear to human thinking.

The Christian life is described as walking on God's route (Deuteronomy 5:33), running a race (1 Corinthians 9:24) and reaching a goal (Philippians 3:13-14). They might be individual journeys, but marching is an army-together journey. It is more perspiration than inspiration. How many want to follow Jesus their way: but marching has a timed rhythm to get everybody at the right place at the right time. Sometimes our way seems dull and tedious, without excitement. It is unrelenting routine and we wonder if anything will happen. But when the Lord is in command the march is just the means to get you to where He wants you, in company with others. Do not resist His call to faithful service. The Lord has the power and He will release it when He chooses. So do not despise each day, dull though they may be (1 Corinthians 10:1-13). Trust and obey and wait from Him to act in power.