In the Bible, when Joshua and the people of Israel were headed toward the Promised Land, right in the middle of their path was a huge obstacle—the city of Jericho. Jericho was a large, fortified city. It had huge walls surrounding it. The Israelites couldn’t go around the city; they had to go through it.

Between you and your destiny, there will always be a “Jericho” or something that you cannot go around. You either have to defeat it, or it’s going to defeat you.

God told Joshua to tell the people to march around the city walls one time for six days, and on the seventh day, they were to march around it seven times. They were instructed not to say a word. No talking. No whispering. No complaining. They had to march perfectly quiet. On the seventh day, on the seventh time around, God said, “This time I want you to do something different. As you march, I want you to let out a shout of praise.”

I can imagine on that seventh day, there was so much excitement. They marched around once, twice, three times with great anticipation. They knew something big was about to happen. On that seventh time around, after the priests blew the trumpets, they let out the high praises of God. They began to shout and cheer and sing, “Hosanna in the highest! To God be all the glory!” so loud that people could hear it for miles and miles. Then all of the sudden, the impossible began to happen. Those thick, fortified walls began to shake and rattle. In a matter of moments, those walls crumbled and came tumbling down! The Israelites were able to go in and take the city, and eventually, they made it into the Promised Land.

How often in life do we think, “I’ll shout after the walls come down. I’ll shout after my victory, after the promotion, after the breakthrough?” No, that’s backwards. The shout is what activates God’s power. I realize God hears us even when we whisper, but I believe there are some walls that will not come down without the high praises of God coming out of your mouth. That’s why when you feel like you’re going in circles, you’ve got to turn up the praise! You’ve got to thank God in a greater way. You’ve got to declare His goodness over your life.

Maybe you’ve been around that city once, twice, three times. God is saying, “You’re coming into your seventh day. You’re about to enter into your victory lap.” Now here’s the question: What’s coming out of your mouth? Make sure you’re praising Him. Make sure you’re thanking Him. Make sure you’re ready because those obstacles, those walls are going to come crashing down in Jesus’ name!