the perspective of God's gift

With Joshua as their new leader, the children of Israel
finally cross over the Jordan and into the promised land.
But it is not without the miraculous.
For there is a parting of these waters,
much like that the Red Sea... minus the chasing Egyptians.

And God is ready to put to work,
the warrior He has prepared in Joshua.
Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel;
none went out, and none came in. 
And the Lord said to Joshua:
“See! I have given Jericho into your hand,
its king, and the mighty men of valor.
Joshua 6:1 NKJV

What an interesting verse!
First, that Jericho was securely shut up.
Now that sounds like they are going to be hard to conquer at first glance.
But to be honest,
it doesn't say they are heavily armored,
or highly guarded.
They have just closed all the gates, doors and windows...
and most likely secured and locked them somehow.
BECAUSE... of the children of Israel.

Very curious!
Remember, this is where Rahab lives...
and she said terror had fallen on them.

But here's what I love.
It's what God says to Joshua...
See! I have given Jericho into your hand,
It's the See... that I like.
Almost like, God wants Joshua to see it differently.
Because God's perspective and ours is rarely the same.
It's as if God is handing Joshua this packaged gift... wrapped tightly...
all locked up... no one coming out and no one going in.

So there's no one to get in the way... as they begin
marching, and
marching, and
marching, and 
marching, and 
marching, and 
marching, and 
marching... and horn blowing, with a great shout.
to witness the wall falling down flat.
(Joshua 6)

So if it's a gift... given by God, into Joshua's hand...
I wonder if the marching around
was't God's way of unwrapping it
as the people inside peered out in wonder, fearfully whispering...
why do they march around us each day?
when are they going to attack?
where is this God they worship?

Word of God... train me, today...
to not feel defeated when the challenge intimidates me,
to trust that persistence pays off when pursuing passion and purpose.

Lord,
often times I get defeated
before I even begin.
When I step out in faith
and find challenges
that seem closed off,
help me to see them from
Your perspective.

Silence the fearful whispers inside of me...
those that tell me I can't,
​that keep me from moving,
that stifle my progress.

And when You hand over these gifts wrapped tight,
give me the persistence to pursue them,
that I might not miss my purpose.