“Every miracle happens twice! The breakthrough always happens in the spiritual realm first. Then — and only then — does it manifest itself in the physical realm. God had already delivered Jericho in the spiritual realm; all the Israelites had to do was keep circling for seven days.”- Mark Batterson
“The gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one went in. Then the LORD said to Joshua, ‘See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands.’ “- Joshua 6:1-2 (NIV)
Mark Batterson concludes Chapter 10 of Win the Day as he exhorts us to take a deep breath! Because God’s got this! For God wants us to get where He wants us to go more than we desire to get there! Furthermore, He’s quite good at getting us there.
But, Pastor Batterson cautions, there’s one catch. Not one of us knows how long the journey will take. So, Mark advises, keep circling Jericho!
Above all, the author counsels, the longer you wait the harder it gets. As a result, harder decisions only get harder. In addition, you cannot finish something you don’t start. Hence, Mark Twain once quipped: “Never put off till to-morrow what you can do the day after to-morrow just as well.”
In conclusion, the sin of presumption involves getting ahead of God. While the sin of procrastination involves falling behind. However, imagining unborn tomorrows manages to avoid both extremes. Certainly, we need to accomplish things that make a difference decades from now. Like everything else though, the long game gets played one day at a time.
So, Pastor Batterson exhorts:
“Remember this seven-word question: Can you do it for a day? Let me add a little immediacy. Today is the day! If you wait until you’re ready you’ll be waiting the rest of your life. Cut the rope.”
Today’s question: How does it help to understand that every miracle happens twice? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Mindfulness over matter – aging”
