CHAINS OF IRON BROKEN
Contrary to popular understanding, the historical St. Patrick was a courageous Christian missionary. He was a Roman Briton captured as a teenager by Irish pirates, and yet after his escape, God called him back to the land of his enslavement. Based on one of Patrick’s own surviving letters, we know that he was once clapped in irons by local warlords because of his testimony for Christ. “They stole everything they found in our possession, and they bound me in iron,” he wrote. However, “On the fourteenth day, the Lord set me free from their power; all our possessions were returned to us for God’s sake.” Mighty chains could not hold back the plan of God for His servant.
WALLS OF STONE THROWN DOWN
Nor could mighty walls hold back the plan of God for His people. Today’s passage contains the story of how God supernaturally cast down the walls of Jericho to give His people the victory. From the instructions God gave Joshua and the lack of any assault on the walls by the people, it was clear that this incredible conquest came directly from the hand of the Lord.
Questions
- How does knowing about the real St. Patrick encourage you on the holiday named for him?
- What have you seen happen that could be only from the hand of God?
- When has God asked you to take Him on faith for something that seemed impossible?
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