January 26

Joshua 6:12–16

12 And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord.

13 And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the

Lord went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the Lord, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.

14 And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.

15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.

16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city.

Biblical Insight

This Scripture in the Book of Joshua records the second time the Ark of the Covenant served as the focal point of God’s deliverance for His people. In Joshua 3, the priests entered the river carrying the Ark, allowing the Israelites to cross over. God told the children of Israel that the river crossing would serve as proof “that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you” the inhabitants of Canaan (Joshua 3:10). The river crossing served as a template for how they would defeat their enemies moving forward, by following God’s presence and leading symbolized by the Ark.

Daily Devotion

Following the Ark served as a literal portrait of faith. It symbolized following God’s presence, yes, but it also showed the people that God does not always work according to how we imagine. The Ark went before them. They were given the command to follow, nothing more, nothing less—just follow.

That process of obediently following is how you walk through the waters that seem to intrude on your path. You put one foot in front of the other, and you follow where His presence leads. It might not add up, but faith would not be faith if you had all the answers. Keep following in His ways, and you will end up victorious and right where you need to be.

Consider how you’re doing at following the presence of God. Think about your time in prayer, in God’s Word, and in listening for God’s voice. Ask God to bless your efforts to follow Him.