“It is I who made the earth, and created man upon it. I stretched out the heavens with My hands and I ordained all their host…For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited), ‘I am the Lord, and there is none else.’”
Isaiah 45:12, 18
Are there moments in our lives when the multitude of possible outcomes overwhelms us with fear and concern? Have you been in a place where you had no choice but to trust God’s promises, rooted in His character?
In one of our family devotions this week, we came across this passage in Joshua 6:2: “The Lord said to Joshua, ‘See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and the valiant warriors.’”
We discussed how Israel’s only hope for success against such an impregnable city lay in God’s promise of victory. They had to wait on God and trust Him to overcome Jericho, or face defeat and shame. God provided a plan–marching around the city 13 times over seven days in complete silence–requiring their obedience and vindicating their trust in God. They did, and God did.
How does this apply to us today?
While we may not confront a fortified city like Jericho, we are indeed faced with countless opportunities to demonstrate our trust in God. Whether waiting for health news or seeking reconciliation in a relationship, we’re all susceptible to worry and anxiety. In reality, as much as we don’t like to admit it, we’re pretty fragile when it comes to waiting and trusting. And often, we fail.
In those moments, what grounds you? What helps you release the fear and trust that no matter what, it’s going to be alright? How do you cope with challenges, from minor frustrations like traffic on an empty stomach to significant anxieties, such as awaiting news from a job interview?
I would argue that, just like the Israelites of old, we must anchor our faith in the objective reality of God’s character, most clearly revealed in His Son, Jesus Christ. Our faith is not abstract; it is concrete, grounded in the person and work of Christ.
Four truths from the Isaiah passage above to anchor us:
- God’s supreme power. Since God is the Creator, He possesses unmatched power.
- God’s unique position. Since God is the Creator, He alone is self-sustained.
- God’s intentional purpose. Since God is the Creator, He alone determines the purpose for His creation.
- God’s imminent presence. Since God is the Creator, He may enter His creation for its greatest good.
But there’s a problem.
Sadly, it’s the same issue Israel faced shortly after their victory at Jericho: they did not hold to God’s plan, and did not trust God’s promises. And neither do we.
They, like us, failed to trust God. Thus, they, and we, don’t deserve God’s love, but we need it all the same. Our sin and disobedience require a loving and just God, who possesses ultimate power, position, purpose, and presence to become one of us and save us from our sin and shame. We need one who is outside of creation to enter creation, redeem it to its true purpose, and enable it to worship God with a new heart as a new creation. We need the gospel of Jesus Christ! Only through the grace received from Christ can we hope to diminish and alleviate our fears and doubts.
Reflect on the story of Jericho, where Israel trusted God’s promise and plan. Consider Isaiah and the four-fold reality of God as Creator. Think about your life: how has God shown His goodness to you?
This weekend, consider how God’s character and promises, as revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, can ease your fear, anxiety, doubt, and worry, grounding you in His unshakable love and reality.
— June 26, 2025