So when the people set out from their tents to
cross the Jordan with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant before the
people, and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet
of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the
Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest), the waters which were
flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap, a great distance away at
Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those which were flowing down
toward the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. So the
people crossed opposite Jericho. And the priests who carried the ark of the
covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while
all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing
the Jordan. Joshua 3:14-17
Because of their unbelief, Israel was sentenced to wander in
the wilderness for 40 years. Those years have now expired and the children of
Israel are poised to enter into Canaan Land. However, before they can enter
Canaan, they must first get past one final, major obstacle… the Jordan River.
Those who have been there during the harvest time tell us that the Jordan
swells to an impassable width of over 1 mile! There was no way they could cross
this river on their own! They needed supernatural help.
We each have “Jordans” that we face from time to time! I don't know specifically what kind of
obstacles you are facing in your life, but I do know a God who specializes in
overcoming the overwhelming and in leading His children to victory. We can
recognize from their experience some steps that we can take get past that
obstacle that blocks our way and enter our Canaan.
I. Listen for Directions from God Joshua
3:1-13
1. Wait on the Lord - v.1-2 - Then
Joshua rose early in the morning; and he and all the sons of Israel set out
from Shittim and came to the Jordan, and they lodged there before they crossed.
At the end of three days the officers went through the midst of the camp;
Joshua 3:1-2
Reacting to a problem seldom brings
the best action to resolve one.
Responding to a circumstance involves patience and stillness. Spending
some time seeking God’s wisdom is always beneficial.
2. Pay Attention to
Details v.3-4
– and they
commanded the people, saying, "When you see the ark of the covenant of the
LORD your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out
from your place and go after it. "However, there shall be between you and
it a distance of about 2,000 cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you
may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way
before."
When it came time for the people to
move forward to cross Jordan, God had a message they needed to hear. In the
words they heard, they were challenged to do three very important things. These
things were designed to help them follow the Lord better.
· Watch God -
The Ark, you may remember, was that special piece of Tabernacle furniture that
symbolized the presence and power of God. When the Ark was in the Holy of
Holies, the glory of God rested upon it and it was the dwelling place of God.
To Israel, it represented God's presence in the midst of His people. In other
words, when God moved, they were to move. When God stopped they were to do the
same.
· Follow God -
When they saw the Ark of the Covenant move, they were to "set
out from your place and go after it." Not only were they to watch God, they were to move
when He did. They were to pursue God!
There comes a time when we must do
the same. This may require us to leave our comfort zone! Following God may not
be the easiest thing you will ever do, but it will be the best thing you ever
do. If you ever expect to get past your obstacles and enter your Canaan, you
must learn to follow God.
·
3. Honor God - Notice that the Israelites are told
to stay at least 3000 feet behind the Ark. This was so that they could easily
see what was happening ahead of them. Also, to get too close to the Ark of the
Covenant would have meant death.
We also must never be guilty of
treating God like one of our buddies. There must always be a holy reverence and
a fear of the Lord in our hearts.
Simply put, these three things are most easily accomplished
by learning to walk in the Spirit. That is, learning to give control of your
life to the Spirit of God and to follow God as He leads through His Word and
through prayer. It may not always be easy, but the promise of God is that if
you will follow, He will certainly lead!
Scripture to Claim:
Lead me in Your truth and
teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day.
Psalms 25:5 