All In, All Yours: Stepping Into God’s Peace and Promises by Heidi Lee AndersonSample

Obstacle #2: When You Hit a Wall

Where have you hit a wall? You know, the kind that’s too high to climb, too thick to break through, and too wide to find a way around?

Is it in your faith—when God feels quiet?

In your relationships—when things just aren’t getting better?

In your purpose—when nothing seems clear?

In your mind—when peace feels far away?

You pray, you wait, you try, but nothing seems to move, and when forward isn’t an option and backing up isn’t right, the question arises: What do I do now?

The Israelites get it. As we meet up with them in Joshua 6, they’re craning their necks looking up at the wall around Jericho—a pretty picture of a fortified city nearly ten stories in height from ground level. With gates securely barred and their unconquerable enemy nestled safely behind the wall, there was no maps app to reroute them around the city. No shortcuts. No quick detours. Just one unyielding, impossible wall.

But here’s one key thing about this wall you must know, which just might shift how you view yours. To set the stage, we gotta dim the lights, stand beside Olivia Newton-John in matching white nightgowns, and belt out in harmony, “Hopelessly devoted to you.”

Because that’s what the obstruction is. Joshua put it best as he commanded, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord (Joshua 6:16-17, NIV).

The definition of devoted is “zealous or ardent in attachment, loyalty, or affection.” It’s equivalent to being dedicated and committed exclusively to something or someone.

Yet instead of being devoted in love like Danny and Sandy . . . we see this obstacle ahead is devoted to destruction. Same with that impending wall, the opposing force, that insurmountable challenge we face. It may seem rogue, out of control, or even dictated by evil today. Yet like Jericho, it must fall under the Lord’s control. It must get in line under the sovereignty of His command, and it must bow in submission to His good plans that can never be thwarted.

Make no mistake: Just as the walls of Jericho fell flat at the sound of His people’s praise, the weapons formed against you face the same destiny. The walls hindering His plans for ­you are under His authority. And above all else, this God to whom everything on earth is devoted (Psalm 24:1) is fully devoted to you. In the purest, most positive definition of devoted, He delights in you. The cross is indisputable evidence that He loves you.

Will you reciprocate his devotion, or, like in Grease, will this be a case of unrequited love?

Today’s travel tip: Devote yourself to the One devoted to you, and watch your walls fall in devotion to Him.