Strongholds derail us and we veer off the path of life. Momentarily, we are in the presence of God and we experience a bit of joy, but the strongholds in us cause us to leave His presence and we lose that experience.

Similarly, at the Lord’s right hand, we experience a satisfaction and fulfilment of our significance and security in the Lord. But strongholds will divert us from that true knowledge of God. Hence, the Jerichos remaining in our lives will continue to block us from entering into an increasing measure of the true knowledge of God.

The road to victorious living ends at the ‘Promised Land’—the true, empowering knowledge of God. It is at that point in our journey when we experience the ‘fullness of joy’, and know how to go forward. We’re no longer distracted or wandering around in the wilderness. It is where God’s presence is with us, and we enjoy what He has provided.

The Jerichos in our lives block the true knowledge of God, which is experiencing the love of God, the life of God, and His light.

Let me share with you some Bible verses; may they speak to you:

1. Regarding the Love of God

John 4:18

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

2. Regarding the Life of God, where there is hope in every desperate situation:

Hebrews 2:14

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

And …

Revelation 1:18

I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

3. Regarding His Light which guides our way:

Psalm 27:1 

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?

John 8:12 

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

If we are constantly gripped with fear, or there are fractures in our soul, we are not living the abundant life. For example, our minds may be confused with scattered thoughts, or our emotions may be unhealthy and constantly gripped with fear, anger and anxiety and we fail to make wise decisions and responses. However, the true knowledge of God positions us to walk in victory, continually overcome the obstacles in our lives and follow Christ in triumphal procession (2 Corinthians 2:14).

We need a correct idea of God before we can live victoriously and share that knowledge with others—and not be stumbled or confused by what other people say or think. Jesus reminds us, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent” (John 17:3).

In John 10:10b, Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

As we destroy strongholds and begin walking in victory, we are able to overcome the difficulties and trials of life, and find answers to our problems. We are able to resolve relational conflicts and find healing and comfort for our emotional wounds. We receive revelation, sight and freedom from bondage.

In Luke 4:18, Jesus said,

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.

When God is on our side, there are blessings, abundance and liberty.

Ephesians 1:3 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

2 Corinthians 3:17 

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

2 Peter 1:3-4 

as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

The true knowledge of God results in peace and fruitfulness, builds faith, inspires hope and draws us closer to God. In the process, we are blessed and we become a blessing to others.

After the destruction of Jericho, a curse was placed on it. We read in Joshua 6:26:

Then Joshua charged them at that time, saying, “Cursed be the man before the Lord who rises up and builds this city Jericho; he shall lay its foundation with his firstborn, and with his youngest he shall set up its gates.

A curse is the opposite of a blessing. Our blessing is the true knowledge of God which ushers the more abundant life. Jericho represents the strongholds in our lives, the obstacles that stand in the way of this. All of us, when we create and erect a stronghold, the evil one will come and reinforce it. This will cause us to be living in the wilderness again.

Are you struggling, and constantly tripping over addictions, financial troubles, anger and other bondages? Are you nursing an unhealed hurt, an unresolved issue or an unmet need? Did you participate in occultic activities, or were you dedicated to a god or idol and that needs to be broken?

Come to the Lord and be set free from your ‘Jerichos’ and taste of the goodness of the Lord in the Promised Land. Rise up and fight, and tear that stronghold down! As these are destroyed, we progress from a partial knowledge of God to experiencing the true knowledge of God, which ultimately comes when we cross over the Jordan.

Psalm 16:11 describes the Promised Land,

You [God] will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

What is the Promised Land for you? What are some ‘Jerichos’ in your life that are standing in the way of you entering the Promised Land?

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