The build up...

It was not a singular event, but a day with a cascade effect, wave upon wave. The day started like any other. Americans carrying out their day in the normal way they were accustomed to. But just a few short hours after the sun rose, the first strike. Then not long after, a second strike. Both dynamic towers of the World Trade Center had been struck. Next, came the chaos in DC. An airliner flew low and circled the city before ultimately coming down at the head of the defense department, the Pentagon. Yet still, came the heroes that wouldn’t let themselves be used as a weapon, uttering the phrase "let's roll" before the airplane took a nose dive in Shanksville, PA. Now the actions of the few, 40 individuals, have been lifted up as a memorial to never surrender.

The country was whirling after those strikes, but it wasn’t over. The build up of the day was about to release the next wave… the great towers tumbled. Tower 1 and Tower 2 were events 5 and 6 as they collapsed. Then mysteriously a bit later in the day tower 7 fell too.

9/11 became a day of infamy. But One that would be reclaimed as Patriot Day.

“And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host; and they commanded the people, saying, ‘When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your GOD, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it (Joshua 3: 2).’”

A time in history where God’s chosen people had reached a precipice. He had led them to the bank of the Jordan river in the time of harvest. A time when the river overflowed its banks and was impossible to pass. A time when Jericho saw the young nation coming, but took solace in their defenses that their walls of strength would not be assaulted anytime soon because of the river.

Yet God sent word to His people, make yourself ready, the time is now. When the Ark passes before you and leads the way, get up and go forward but don’t go near the Ark of the Covenant. “Come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore (Joshua 3:4).” The Lord went before them. The impenetrable time folded upon itself quickly. It wasn’t a moment. It wasn’t a singular act. It was precept upon precept, line upon line (Isaiah 28:10). Yes, a miracle after a miracle.

Jericho’s walls came tumbling down. That was what would be remembered in the end. But the build up prior to it, were the steps taken to unfold the great event. Scouts had been sent. Threads had been sown. Feet had entered the riverbed on dry ground. Stones of remembrance were placed. Passover kept. A moment with the Captain of the LORD’s Host. A march or parade ensued. Trumpets were blown with a shout! And the walls came tumbling down.

Much like it was in the days of Joshua. The provisions from the desert were no longer necessary and the people moved forward living off of the land entering a new phase that was not known unto them, as a people. Once the walls came down, the battle was the Lord's.

“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said (Matthew 28: 6).”

Jesus said “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up (John 2: 19).” And we know because of Easter or Resurrection Sunday that he did just that. Here today, God is reminding us that a new day is dawning. Steps have been taken by many leaders, believers, and operatives; soon the Presence of the Lord will be seen in a new way that will cause all individuals to see this.

A new way forward has been forged and it will be up to the Church to walk it and lead others in the way. God’s glory will not retreat. He is advancing to take the land back. Far too long it has not been in His people’s hands. He told Peter that He gave him the keys to the kingdom, see Matthew 16: 19, but the church has handed them over so they could be entertained, promised an early exit, or to enjoy the debutants that came to them.

Take stock and heed His call. Come back to the fire that burns from within. May His Spirit be a flame upon your life! May the good news continue to grow! But be mindful that all the Israelites that left Egypt didn't reach the promised land...

Godspeed, The Journeyman

Ps. Read Joshua chapters 3-6 and enjoy the journey. Something has perked and is about to be poured out. Ready and steady as we go!

Joshua 3: 2 KJV “And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host; and they commanded the people, saying, ‘When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your GOD, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.’”

Isaiah 28:10 KJV “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little…”

Matthew 16: 19 KJV “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall loosed in heaven.”

Matthew 28: 6 KJV “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.”

John 2: 19 KJV “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”