1465 Hell Is Scared

Whatever it is you’re afraid of, is afraid of you. If what you’re afraid of is a scheme from the pits of hell sent to discourage you, distract you, or defeat you, just know the truth is, the pits of hell are afraid of you. If what you’re afraid of is a plot of the enemy, the enemy is afraid of you. Did you know that? Hell is afraid of you! Satan and his demons are scared of you! And they should be. Today, I will show you a little verse in your bible you may have read before but totally missed the importance of. I know I’ve skimmed over it countless times, missing it’s truth. This single verse comes in the story of the Battle of Jericho. You know, the story of Joshua leading the Israelites to Jericho, the first city of their Promised Land. Their battle plan was strange to say the least, as they faced impenetrable walls that couldn’t be scaled. God had given them instructions to march around these massive walls protecting Jericho. Just march. In circles. For days. Marching. Then finally, blow horns and shout, then the walls would crumble and they would charge in and take possession of their land. And we know this battle plan actually worked. We often focus on the circling in faith. The marching in trust. Then the impossible victory given. Great story. Great lesson. But what if there’s more God wants to show us here, and we’ve been overlooking it? I know I’ve been overlooking it. Yesterday, my friend Gina shared a lesson her pastor in Tulsa, Oklahoma taught on the very first verse of this story. And well, I can’t stop thinking about this! The story is found in Joshua chapter 6. The very first verse says, “Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites.” Within that verse is our lesson. Within that verse is everything you need to know about the battle you face today. Within that verse is where we learn our enemy is afraid of us, and they should be! The city of Jericho was circled by a massive wall they had built to protect their land. They had sealed all the gates tight and stayed inside their walls … why … because they were afraid of the Israelites. But who are these Israelites? This is a group of people who have been wandering in the desert for 40 years. A group of people who have one by one been dying off, starving, struggling and suffering. They must have been a rag tag band of misfits. They didn’t have any great weapons or great skills. They were children of the desert, relying solely on the daily provision of manna God would bring them. So, why were the people of Jericho so afraid of the Israelites? Why were they hiding behind the locked gates of their city walls? The Israelites didn’t look like anything to be afraid of at all. They were kind of like the little country football team, wearing gear that doesn’t fit them, and shoes falling apart on their feet because they can’t afford to buy the team anything new. Scrawny boys that might not have had lunch. Like the team who could barely even make it to the game, let alone win the game. The team everyone treats as the sure and easy win. That’s what they must have looked like. Yet, Jericho was afraid of the team of underfed misfits lacking proper weapons and training. They were afraid for one reason. The same reason the last 2 armies were afraid of them. Go back one chapter and we find our answer. Joshua 5:1, “Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted in fear and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.” Here’s why their enemies were afraid … they knew what God had done for his people before! And Sis, the pits of Hell know what Heaven has done for you! Satan and his demons are afraid of you because of what God has already done for you. Girl, if your enemy knows what God has done