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Joshua 3:1-6 , 14-17
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. Just two years after God delivered Israel from Egypt, He brought them to the Jordan River where they could look across and the Canaan. You also know the 12 spies came back, ten of them said Israel couldn’t overcome the “giants in the land,” which condemned Israel to 40 years of wandering in the desert. When the 40 years ended God again brought Israel to the Jordan. This time it was at flood stage ready to consume anyone who challenged it. Today’s outline is borrowed, but the content is mine. Notice there is:
- THE MESSAGE TO CONSIDER (3:1-13). The message involved a three-part challenge. Often the magnitude of a challenge is considered by our distance from God! The further away we are the bigger the challenge appears; however, the closer we are to God the bigger He is and the smaller the challenge looks! The message to Israel challenged Israel to watch God. The Ark of the Covenant was God’s presence among Israel, just like Jesus’ presence was God among Israel; and the Holy Spirit is God’s presence in us now! The challenge was also to follow God. When the Ark moved, Israel was to follow it! Scripture never allows us to be stagnant, immobile, or inactive. The people were also to honor God. They were to follow at a distance out of fear and reverence for God! The message also involved a command to sanctify and consecrate themselves. We have deteriorated in our attitude today thinking we can come to God dirty! Nowhere does Scripture ever tell us we can come to God any way but holy! Finally, we learn the message involved a commitment! This is one of those places where God clearly says “If you do this, then I’ll do this.” In other words God expects us to trust and obey Him in order to received the benefits of His blessings. There was also
- A MIRACLE TO CONSIDER! Most miracles start with a problem. Here it was the Jordan River at flood stage. Notice in verse 15 God tells Israel the plan. God told the people “step in!” Another way of saying that is “DO something!” God expects us to act, sometimes before He does! I think it is that faith thing! God might be telling us “don’t tell Me you trust Me, show Me!” Don’t miss verses 16, 17 where the plan and performance resulted in performance! Notice also how long God waited to perform the miracle Israel needed! Also see that God didn’t just open a path for Israel, He opened a super-highway that was 20 miles wide! In order to remember God’s deliverance there is
- A MEMORIAL TO CONSIDER! In chapter 4:1-24 we read God had them build a memorial for the purpose of reminding them how great a deliverance God had provided. It’s like The Lord’s Supper today. The memorial was also a picture of God’s faithfulness to His people. No matter what Jordan is facing you right now, God is able to open the way across so you will arrive safely on the other side to continue your journey to Christlikeness.
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