“Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.'”
Joshua 6:2
God’s promises are not a blank check. In our enthusiasm to exercise faith, it’s easy to fall into the trap of “naming and claiming” anything we desire. But the story of Joshua and Jericho teaches us a crucial lesson about the nature of godly claims.
Notice who initiates the promise. It wasn’t Joshua who decided to claim Jericho. It was God who declared, “I have delivered Jericho into your hands.” This is a fundamental principle we often overlook: true faith claims begin with God’s promises, not our wishes.
“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” – Hudson Taylor, British missionary to China and founder of China Inland Mission
We can only claim what God has already given. In this passage, God uses past tense – “I have delivered” – indicating that the victory was already accomplished in His divine plan. Our role is not to claim whatever we want, but to receive and walk in what God has already provided.
Faith is not a force we use to get what we want from God. Rather, it’s the means by which we receive what God wants to give us. Joshua didn’t manipulate God into giving him Jericho; he simply believed and obeyed when God declared His intention.
Presumption is not the same as faith. If Joshua had tried to claim another city that God hadn’t promised, that would have been presumption, not faith. True faith always aligns with God’s revealed will and character.
God’s promises often require our participation. Even though God had promised victory, Joshua and the Israelites still had to march around the city and follow God’s instructions. Claiming God’s promises often involves active obedience on our part.
Our desires must align with God’s purposes. Jericho wasn’t just any city; it was part of the Promised Land God had designated for Israel. When our desires align with God’s kingdom purposes, we’re more likely to be claiming what God actually wants to give.
Humility is key in claiming God’s promises. Joshua’s response to God’s promise was one of humble obedience, not arrogant demand. When we approach God’s promises with humility, recognizing that everything comes from Him, we position ourselves to receive.
Godseekers, I challenge you today to examine your “claims” before God. Are they rooted in His promises and aligned with His purposes? Or are they simply your own desires that you’re trying to sanctify with spiritual language? Remember, true faith doesn’t demand from God; it humbly receives what He has already promised.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times we’ve tried to claim things You haven’t promised. Teach us to discern Your voice and Your promises. Help us to align our desires with Your purposes. Give us the faith to believe Your promises and the humility to receive them in Your way and Your timing. May our claims always be rooted in Your word and Your character. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Personal Reflection
- Think about the things you’re currently “claiming” in prayer. How many of these are clearly promised in Scripture or specifically given to you by God? How many are simply your own desires?
- Can you recall a time when you tried to claim something God hadn’t promised? What was the result? How did that experience shape your understanding of faith?
Step of Faith
This week, spend time studying God’s promises in Scripture. Choose one promise that God brings to your attention – one that aligns with His revealed will for your life. Begin to thank God for this promise as if it’s already fulfilled, just as He spoke of Jericho to Joshua. Journal about how this practice affects your faith and your relationship with God.
