Do you have problems that just won’t go away? Are you struggling with the same obstacles, time and again? Prayer, a positive mental attitude, and quoting Scriptures have yet to remove the difficulties that you face? Beyond the towering wall of trouble, there is peace, provision, and victory. But how do we get from here to there?

   As children we sang, “Joshua won the battle at Jericho,” but as adults we tend to forget how the battle was won. Jericho was well fortified. No one came out. No one went in. It seemed indestructible.

   The Lord had promised Joshua that Jericho would be his. But the situation did not look promising. God gave His people specific directions. Day after day, they obeyed–they did all the right things, yet the surrounding walls stood, tall and strong. 

   God’s battle plan was a “victory” march around the fortress. On the seventh day of obedient walking, Joshua told the people, “Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city” (Joshua 6:16). They were instructed to behave as if Jericho was already theirs. The walls still stood solid. There was no visible indication that anything was transpiring that would bring their victory. However, they obeyed anyway.

   It had to seem silly, embarrassing, and foolish. But shout they did! The walls of the mighty city fell flat, and God delivered a tremendous victory into their hands.

   In all our lives, we encounter issues that are insurmountable. There is no denying the fact that we are helpless to overcome the obstacles that we face. But that is not the end of the story!

   When God gives us a word, we can act on it with confidence. We may feel silly. We may look foolish. Our pride and ego may grimace at the thought of acting out His plan. But what do we have to lose?

   We have lived long enough on the wrong side of victory. We have everything to gain. Today is the day that we see the walls fall. We can walk across them and conquer the enemy that has bound and tormented our lives.

   Failing finances, disease and illness, wayward spouses, unsaved children, anxiety and depression, job dilemmas–nothing can stand in our way for very long when we give a shout of victory! Time and again, we find ourselves backed into a corner where the only way out is through praise. With each step, we are displacing darkness and neutralizing our enemy. 

   Devotional time, Bible reading, praying the Word, speaking promises of faith—we are doing all the right things. But if the walls still have not fallen in our lives, there is one more strategic maneuver that is part of the battle plan. Give a shout of victory!

   Some things in our lives must be simply surrounded by prayer, praise, and a shout of victory before they fall at our feet. We need to worship God today as if the victory was ours already. Praising God for the victory before the battle is won terrifies the enemy. He does not know what to do when God’s people replace tears and anxiety with a victory march of faith.

   It is immaterial what face our enemy may wear, his name, or what he says. We can boldly march forward with hands held high, a shout of victory in our hearts and on our lips. The wall that stands between us and complete victory will fall at our feet when we persist in giving a “shout!” God has given us the city.