Joshua 6:16 The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! 

This verse reminds me so much of Isaiah 54: “Sing, o barren woman, enlarge the place of your tent…”

In both cases, the shouting and the singing happens before the breakthrough. Note that Joshua and all the people had walked around the city for seven days already. Nothing had changed. Even after walking for another six times on the seventh day, nothing had changed. Even one second before Joshua had announced, “shout!” nothing had changed.

Why were they supposed to shout when nothing had changed? Why was the barren woman supposed to sing when nothing had changed? It is because God changes circumstances on the praises of His people. When Paul and Silas cried out in prison, raising their voice in praise (Acts 16), God’s presence filled that prision. And where the Spirit of the Lord is there is… FREEDOM.

Wherever you find yourself, start declaring His praise. The praises of His people will break down any walls and bring us into the promises of God.