Dave spoke this morning from Josh 3:1-6, reminding us that we need to enter the New Year with faith and keep on believing in order to enter into all that God has for us. Josh 3:4 tells us we have to keep our eyes on God in order to know which way to go, ‘since you have never been this way before.’ There are new things for us to learn and new promises to claim this year!
In order to move ahead, we must:
- be willing to wait on God – always a hard thing to do, but necessary for us to come to the end of ourselves so that we see God move in miraculous ways. The Israelites had to wait 3 days at the banks of the River Jordan, waiting for Joshua’s command. The disciples had to wait for nearly 6 weeks before they were clothed with power from on high. God’s power is revealed to us, but often, there is a waiting period before we see Him move in miraculous ways.
- follow God wholeheartedly. Previously they had followed the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, but now the ark of the covenant became the symbol for them to move. The ark was the symbol of God’s presence, reminding the people that they had to keep their eyes on God. We have to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ, following Him as our example and high priest.
- consecrate oursselves, setting ourselves apart for God. Consecration was often associated with ritual cleansing and changing clothes, with the new beginnings that God brings. We have to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility and love (Col 3:9-10), putting off the old self and putting on His righteousness. God calls us to holiness, purity and a life free from sin.
Josh 3:1-6 reminds us that new territory lies ahead. We can be confident that God will be with us. We don’t have to look at the depth of the Jordan but at the length, height, depth and breadth of God’s love.