Tuesday, February 4, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: Romans 1

Has there been a time in your life when it was hard to trust in God’s plan through a difficult circumstance? I know that there have been several instances in my life when his plan seemed crazy, but he came through for me.

The Bible is filled with examples of people with great faith who believed in God even when they faced impossible circumstances. One can be found in the book of Joshua, when the Israelites were stuck outside the walls of Jericho.

God provided Joshua and the Israelites with instructions on how to crumble the walls of Jericho, but it sure seemed crazy. God instructed the Israelites to march around the walls for seven days and then blow rams’ horns and shout on the seventh day.

Joshua 6:20
When the people heard the sound of the rams’ horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it.

I wonder what Joshua was thinking when God gave him those instructions that would eventually cause the walls of Jericho to fall. There must have been some doubt in the back of his mind as he faced what must have seemed like an insurmountable task. However, Joshua decided in advance to believe in God’s plan, and it was one hundred percent successful! I can imagine the awe that Joshua must have felt after the walls of Jericho fell, likely skyrocketing his faith and trust in God.

We will all face seemingly insurmountable obstacles in our lives, but Joshua demonstrates the importance of intentionally making the decision to trust God in all circumstances, even when we don’t entirely understand his plan at the time. It is during these times that we must hold tight to our faith and look back on all the other times that God has provided for us.

When we stay loyal to God and keep our faith during difficult circumstances, he will always come through for us. He may not take all of the obstacles away, and things may not turn out as we would have chosen, but he will always lead us through them.

Let’s never forget that, in the end, God has promised to never fail us nor abandon us (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Questions:
Can you remember a time when God led you through a seemingly insurmountable obstacle?

How can we intentionally place our trust in God’s plan each day?

Next Steps:
Read Joshua 6:1-20 to see how intentionally placing our trust in God’s plan gives us hope in difficult circumstances.

This week, surrender to God a situation that you have been struggling with and trust that he will help you overcome it.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for leading me through seemingly hopeless situations. Help me to grow in my faith and to trust in your plan, even when it is difficult or I don’t understand it. As you led Joshua through the fall of Jericho, please lead me through tough times and place my complete trust in you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Romans 12:2
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

This post was written by Isabelle Billnitzer, a Perrysburg attendee and regular contributor to the LivingItOut.