There’s an expression in English: “to be painted into a corner.” Imagine painting the floor of a room but then realizing that you have wound up in a corner and cannot get out—except by walking over the fresh paint. You have to stay there until it dries!

Sometimes our faith seems to paint us into a corner. We arrive at a situa­tion, and, like the wet paint on the floor, our faith “traps” us. We look at the situation, and either we have to reject God, faith, and everything we have believed in, or our faith compels us to believe what appears impossible.

God brought the Israelites to a corner. After they had wandered for 40 years in the wilderness, God did not lead His people to empty, peaceful grasslands. God led them to one of the most strongly fortified cities in the whole area. Then they had to walk around Jericho in silence for six days. On the seventh day, God told them to shout—and that shouting, together with the trumpets, would bring victory.

Shouting loudly was not going to cause vibrations to trigger the walls to collapse. When God called the Israelites to “shout,” it was the same type of shouting that David writes about in Psalm 66: “Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!” (Ps. 66:1, 2, NIV). This shouting was praise! After six days of looking at the huge walls, they must have concluded that they hadn’t a chance of breaking them down themselves.

When God is on the verge of doing something new in our lives, He may bring us to a Jericho, for He may need to teach us that the power to triumph does not come in our own strength and strategies. Everything we need comes from outside of ourselves. So, no matter what is in front of us, no matter how insurmountable it may seem, our role is to praise God—the Source of everything we need. This is faith in action.

Supplemental Notes:

All was silent, save the measured tread of many feet, and the occasional sound of the trumpet, breaking the stillness of the early morning. The massive walls of solid stone seemed to defy the siege of men. . . . As the seventh circuit was completed, the long procession paused, the trumpets, which for an interval had been silent, now broke forth in a blast that shook the very earth. The walls of solid stone, with their massive towers and battlements, tottered and heaved from their foundations, and with a crash fell in ruin to the earth. The inhabitants of Jericho were paralyzed with terror, and the hosts of Israel marched in and took possession of the city.

The Israelites had not gained the victory by their own power; the conquest had been wholly the Lord’s; and as the first fruits of the land, the city, with all that it contained, was to be devoted as a sacrifice to God. It was to be impressed upon Israel that in the conquest of Canaan they were not to fight for themselves, but simply as instruments to execute the will of God; not to seek for riches or self-exaltation, but the glory of Jehovah their King.—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 491.

“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down.” Hebrews 11:30. . . . [The] plan of continuing this ceremony through so long a time prior to the final overthrow of the walls afforded opportunity for the development of faith among the Israelites. It was to be impressed upon their minds that their strength was not in the wisdom of man, nor in his might, but only in the God of their salvation. They were thus to become accustomed to relying wholly upon their divine Leader.

God will do great things for those who trust in Him. The reason why His professed people have no greater strength is that they trust so much to their own wisdom, and do not give the Lord an opportunity to reveal His power in their behalf. He will help His believing children in every emergency if they will place their entire confidence in Him and faithfully obey Him.—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 493.

This [sixty-sixth] psalm and portions of the sixty-eighth and seventy-second psalms were often sung by Christ. Thus in the most simple and unassuming way He taught others.

. . . Would it not be well to cultivate gratitude, and to offer grateful songs of thanksgiving to God? As Christians we ought to praise God more than we do. We ought to bring more of the brightness of His love into our lives. As by faith we look to Jesus His joy and peace are reflected from the countenances. How earnestly we should seek so to relate ourselves to God that our faces may reflect the sunshine of His love! When our own souls are vivified by the Holy Spirit, we shall exert an uplifting influence upon others who know not the joy of Christ’s presence.— The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1148.

As a Christian, one of the most important beliefs that we hold dear is that God is in control of everything in our lives. This means that there is no such thing as an accident, and everything that happens to us is part of God's plan. Even though we may not understand it, God has a purpose for every experience in our lives, including the ones that may be heartbreaking.

In the Bible, there are numerous examples of how God's plans are often different from ours, and yet they always turn out for our good. In Jeremiah 29:11, God tells us, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This verse assures us that God has good things in store for us, even when we can't see them.

When we face challenges and obstacles, it's important to remember that God is sovereign. He has the power to redirect us, and it's up to us to follow His lead. Proverbs 16:9 says, "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." This verse reminds us that we may have our own plans, but ultimately, God is the one who directs our steps.

It's important to trust that God's plans for us are always greater than anything we could ever imagine. Ephesians 3:20 says, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." This verse reminds us that God's power is limitless, and He can do far more for us than we could ever ask or think.

When we face difficult circumstances, we must wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled. Isaiah 40:31 says, "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." This verse assures us that as we wait on God, He will renew our strength and help us to overcome any obstacles that come our way.

That is why, as Christians, we must trust in God's sovereignty and believe that He has a purpose for everything that happens in our lives. We must remember that His plans for us are always greater than anything we could ever imagine, and we must wait patiently for His promises to be fulfilled. Through it all, we can be assured that God's love will remain and that His peace will be with us.

The purpose that God has for our lives is greater than our own desires, and His wisdom is above our capacity to comprehend it (Isaiah 55:8–9). God wants us to see things the way He sees them, so we must let go of our worries and cares and accept that fact in order to fully treasure and abide in His plans (Proverbs 3:5–6). 

The vision that God has placed in our lives can be received and used as a guide as well as a source of strength when we grow weary on the way (Habakkuk 2:2-3). The desires that God sows in our hearts are frequently greater than the plans we have, and they inspire us to serve others (Philippians 2:3–4). 

God provides for our needs, but we must make choices that are in line with the talents and abilities He has given us, and we must be humble enough to recognize that His ways are not always what we would expect (James 4:6). God will grant us the opportunity to see the big picture and lead a fulfilling life when we put our attention on Him and seek Him first (Matthew 6:33). 

Because of this, we need to focus on God's strength and mercy, accept His promises, and live humbly in accordance with His principles (Proverbs 16:3). We will be able to fully appreciate the bright future that God has planned for us if we base our decisions on His standards and put Him first (Jeremiah 29:11).

Following God is not easy. There will be moments when you need to sacrifice your own desires just for Him to be glorified. It requires faith and trust. Above all, it’s a great risk that you need to take. But living in God’s presence is more than a reward that you can receive here on earth. It’s a great privilege to know Him despite the brokenness and pain that you feel. The risks that you will take are nothing compared to the great blessings that God prepared. If you only learn to move forward and keep going despite the fears that you feel inside, then you will surely find it more rewarding to live according to His will. So the question is, are you willing to take some risks for His Kingdom to reign?

There is always a risk everywhere you go. You just have to choose what kind of challenges and obstacles you are willing to take. Choose the ones that are worth fighting for in the end. It appears to be very hard at first, but if you will just patiently wait for the seeds to bloom and bear fruits, then you will surely realize that all your hard works are never in vain. The key to taking some risks is to focus not on yourself but on the One who will walk with you. The path may not be that comfortable, but God is there to pick you up when you fall down. When you choose to take risks with Him, then you will experience so many fulfilling moments that you can never trade with worldly riches.

It’s going to be a different kind of risk. It’s a rewarding one. You will never know how it feels like if you won’t try. Go ahead and walk while holding His hands. If you feel scared, you can close your eyes and continue your journey with Him. Know that you will be safe because He will be there to lead you to the path that He created. He is aware of what’s coming. Trust Him, and you will be guided. It’s okay to take a step even in the wilderness. You can still find the strength that you need. When you journey with Him, all the risks that you will take will serve as a way for you to receive more of His blessings.

Don’t miss His moving in your life. The only One who can teach you how to truly live is the Creator himself. He will take you to unexpected roads and let you go through the wilderness, but those seasons will turn into wonderful memories that you can always cherish. In those moments, you will discover who God is, and you will be exposed to His mercy and grace.

You can never put God inside a box. His love is so deep and wide. No one can ever fathom the depths of His compassion and grace. Your mistakes are nothing compared to His power. So if you are so disappointed with yourself because of the wrong decisions that you committed, then don’t hide away from His presence. Seek His love and trust in His goodness. Remember the blessings that He gave you so that you will no longer be scared to approach Him. Do not dwell on the bad things that happened in your life. You can take note of the lesson, but don’t allow your emotions to affect your actions. Be humble and choose to stay in His presence. 

Focus on His love. You will find it hard to keep moving if all you see are the negative things that happened. You won’t see the bigger picture, and you will fail to notice the blessings that God provided. That’s why reminisce the good things that you experienced, especially those moments when you witness His miracles. In such a way, you will slowly feel God’s loving embrace. When you already carry the consequences of your wrong decisions, choose to lift your hands in worship and let the lyrics of the songs remind you how wonderful and glorious your Savior is.

There are hidden blessings behind all your mistakes. There are wonderful treasures that you can get. One thing that can help you so that you can move forward is to set your eyes on the lessons that you learned. Keep those lessons because you will use them, especially in handling bigger problems. Try to look at the things that you can change and improve. Do not allow the frustrations to control your thoughts. Instead, thank God for giving you the chance to grow in His arms. Things will be okay. You will soon recover, and you will see yourself from a different perspective. He is preparing everything ahead, so don’t worry.

God will never stop loving you. He hates sin, but all you need to do is ask for His forgiveness and choose to repent. After that, He will give you the strength you need to keep moving. He will show you how powerful and big He is. His goodness will change the way you perceive yourself. And He will open your eyes to the things you fail to appreciate. Do not be dismayed. Your Heavenly Father is waiting for you to accept His mercy and love.

God knows the perfect timing. When He asks you to wait, then it means, He is preparing things that are beyond what you can imagine. So do not be in a hurry. Do not focus on your own timeline. Instead, acknowledge the will of God and let Him do His thing. The waiting season may not be that easy, but be strong and take heart! Choose to trust in His promises because He will fulfill all of them. He is always faithful, and He knows what He is doing. Let your faith be greater than your doubts. Believe in Him and enjoy the process of waiting.

I pray that you will choose to wait for the Lord and stop following your own schedule.

This messenger was John the Baptist. He lived in the wilderness and was preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had turned from their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. Mark 1:4

John the Baptist’s camel-hair cloak should not be confused with the luxurious, woven garments found in upscale stores today. His was most likely a tanned, hairy hide held together with a leather belt. He did not preach in the comfort of a temple but baptized in the stark setting of the wilderness. He was well known for his not-so-gentle speeches. His diet was meager, consisting of locusts and wild honey. Though these facts alone set John apart from other religious men, it was his single-minded dedication to his calling that etched his name in history. John never forgot his purpose. When John’s disciples left to follow Jesus, his loyal friends complained bitterly, yet John assured them that this was exactly what he hoped would happen. He wanted to decrease so that Christ could increase. His whole mission in life was to point the way to Jesus. When God gives us a particular ministry, it is easy to assume ownership. We birth it. We pray over it. Yet our calling was never ours in the first place. Just like John the Baptist’s, our purpose is to point others to Christ, not to ourselves.

LORD, thank you for the ministry you have entrusted to me. If others praise me, help me to remember that my one purpose should be that your gospel is proclaimed and you are exalted. In everything I do, may I be a stepping-stone instead of a stumbling block so that others may come to know you as Savior and Lord.

Our method of proclaiming salvation is this: to point out to every heart the loving Lamb, who died for us, and although He was the Son of God, offered Himself for our sins.Count Nikolaus von Zinzendorf (1700–1760)

"God is love." His nature, His law, is love. It ever has been; it ever will be. Every manifestation of creative power is an expression of infinite love. The history of the great conflict between good and evil from the time it first began in heaven is also a demonstration of God's unchanging love.

The Sovereign of the universe was not alone in His work of beneficence. He had an associate who could appreciate His purpose and share His joy in giving happiness to created beings. See John 1:1, 2.

Christ the Word was one with the eternal Father, one in nature, in character, in purpose. "His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6. His "goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." Micah 5:2.

The Father wrought by His Son in the creation of all heavenly beings. "By Him were all things created, ... whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers." Colossians 1:16. Angels are God's ministers speeding to execute His will. But the Son, the "express image of His person," "the brightness of His glory," "upholding all things by the word of His power," holds supremacy over them all. See Hebrews 1:3, 8.

God desires from all His creatures the service of love—service that springs from an appreciation of His character. He takes no pleasure in a forced obedience; and to all He grants freedom of will, that they may render Him voluntary service.

So long as all created beings acknowledged the allegiance of love, there was perfect harmony throughout the universe of God. There was no note of discord to mar the celestial harmonies.

But a change came over this happy state. There was one who perverted the freedom that God had granted to His creatures. Sin originated with him, who, next to Christ, had been most honored of God and was highest among the inhabitants of heaven. Lucifer, "son of the morning," (Isaiah 14:12) was holy and undefiled. "Thus saith the Lord God: Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty... . Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so. Thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee."

Little by little, Lucifer indulged the desire for self-exaltation. "Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty; thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness" Ezekiel 28:12-15, 17. "Thou hast said in thine heart, ... I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; ... I will be like the most High." Isaiah 14:13, 14. Though honored above the heavenly host, he ventured to covet homage due alone to the Creator. This prince of angels aspired to power that was the prerogative of Christ alone.

Now the perfect harmony of heaven was broken. In heavenly council the angels pleaded with Lucifer. The Son of God presented before him the goodness and justice of the Creator and the unchanging nature of His law. In departing from it, Lucifer would dishonor his Maker and bring ruin upon himself. But the warning given in infinite love and mercy only aroused resistance. Lucifer allowed his jealousy of Christ to prevail, and became the more determined.

The king of the universe summoned the heavenly hosts before Him, that in their presence He might set forth the true position of His Son and show the relation He sustained to all created beings. The Son of God shared the Father's throne, and the glory of the eternal, self-existent One encircled both. About the throne gathered the holy angels, "ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands." Revelation 5:11. Before the inhabitants of heaven, the King declared that none but Christ could fully enter into His purposes and execute the mighty counsels of His will. Christ was still to exercise divine power in the creation of the earth and its inhabitants. EP 9.1 - EP 10.5