Joshua had led the people of God into the Promised Land. They were instructed to occupy the land that God had given them. The first city that they were to conquer was Jericho. God gave them specific instructions on how to attack the city. He had assured them that they would surely take the city even though it was securely shut up with high walls. They were to march around the city once per day for six days and on the seventh day they were to march around it seven times. They were to keep silent until they heard the long blast from the ram’s horns. At that moment they gave a loud shout. God caused the walls of the city to fall down at the shout of faith.
David looked into the eyes of a giant named Goliath who was defying the God of heaven and His people. He shouted to the giant: “This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel” (1 Samuel 17:46). David swung his sling and Goliath was brought down. The Israelites in Joshua, and David with Goliath both gave the shout of faith.
In the New Testament Paul was on a ship going to Rome when a powerful storm hit the ship. All hope was lost. Yet God instructed Paul that he would make it to Rome and no one aboard the ship was going to die. Paul spoke to the passengers as the storm swirled around in Acts 27:25: “Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God”. His shout of faith could be heard above the storm.
Are you up against any walls? Are you facing any giants? Are you steering through any storms? People all around us live in defeat and discouragement. But children of God can be victorious if we listen to God’s Word and raise our voices with the shout of faith.