Biblical Perspective
Navigating Through Uncharted Waters
Text: Joshua 3:1-17
Key verse: Joshua 3:4 “Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.”
Navigating through the unknown can be very challenging as well as very stressful. When we come to a situation we have not encountered before we face difficulties and the decisions we make are not easy when we are unsure what to do. God is always there for us and he can helpful navigate safely and successfully through the uncharted waters that we will face. We can learn some very valuable lessons from Joshua the Jewish people as we look at this chapter.
The Teaching
The nation of Israel was about to enter the promise land and this would be a new chapter in their life as a nation. This was an exciting time, but it also was a challenging time that would present big obstacles as they sought to move forward. Joshua was a great leader and he was an early riser who spent time with God. Joshua 3:1 “And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. Joshua was an effective leader of people and knew how delegate authority and organize. Joshua 3:2 “And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host.” They were not to move until they saw the priests move with the Ark of the Covenant. Joshua 3:3 “And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.” It is important that we are patient and learn to follow God and not rush to make a rash decision that we have not thoughtfully prayed about. God will teach us if we are willing to listen and follow the instructions he gives us. Exodus 4:12 “Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.” God will not forsake you, but he will be with you every step of the way.
The Truth
God made it clear that he would lead the way and that they would know the right path to follow. Joshua 3:4 “Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.” The way was new to them, but it was not new to God. We may not be able to handle it on our own however with God it is no problem at all. We simply need to trust him and follow by faith. Proverbs 3:5-6 (5) “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” We must follow God and put our complete faith in him to direct our life. We need to make his truth and integral part of our life. We must decide who is going to control our life. If it is God then we must forsake worldly wisdom and learn to walk by faith. If we trust God and that he truly knows what is best for our life then we will commit all to him as we move forward by faith. If we control our life then we will miss God's best and never be used like God wants to use us. God wants to use us far more than we want to be used. We must acknowledge God in all of our ways and not just in some of them. We need to yield complete control to God and not hold back in any way. We must focus on what God wants and leave things in his hands. We must not try to manipulate things, but do what is right and allow God to lead us according to his plan and forsake our selfish desires.
The Trust
The people needed to be prepared spiritually by sanctifying themselves. The priests would take up the ark by faith and move forward as the people followed. Joshua 3:-6 (5) “And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you. (6) And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.” We must apply the scripture to our life as that is where the power is. God is not looking for academic acknowledge with no obedience, but he is looking for application which will lead to change and transformation. They would have the assurance of God’s presence when he gave them victory over their enemies. Joshua 3:10 “And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.” If they obeyed God and followed him he would give them victory.
The Triumph
The priests had the promise from God and they would act upon that promise by faith and then God would do a great miracle. Joshua 3:13 “And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.” The priests believed this promising and they were coming to the river during the worst time. The normal for the Jordan River was about a hundred feet wide most of the year, but at the spring flood season, the river overflowed its banks and became a mile wide. At the exact moment the priests bearing the Ark put their feet into the river, the water stopped flowing and stood like a wall about twenty miles away upstream, near a city called Adam. It was a miracle of God in response to the faith of the people. Joshua 3:15-16 (15) “And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) (16) That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.” Now we see that what was impossible for man was no problem for God. It was an encouragement to the people of God and a testimony to everyone else about the mighty power of God. Joshua 3:17 “And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.” God wants to manifest himself strong in your life during these times if you will but trust him. II Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.” God is looking for people who have perfect heart that he can use and bless. By the grace of God may I be one of them. It is so important that we have a tender heart before the Lord and a teachable spirit. Asa got concerned about his circumstances and as he got older lost his zealous faith and trust he had earlier in his life. The thing Asa sought to avoid by compromise was war but he would have more conflict because of his compromise. You may get temporary relief by compromise but you will never get long term blessing and satisfaction. We must be careful that we do not lose our zeal and begin to walk by sight in worldly wisdom. When we are going through a difficult time and we pray for relief and it does not happen like we want it to we must remember his grace is always sufficient. II Corinthians 12:8-10 (8) “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” Paul earnestly sought the Lord that this thorn in the flesh might be removed from him. Paul received grace from the Lord instead of healing. It was not because Paul was not right with God, but it was not God's will to heal him. God made it clear to Paul that his grace was enough to help him through that difficulty and he did not need healing to show divine favor or approval for his ministry. For a long time I prayed for my wife Pam to be healed of her heart condition. God gave us grace and kept her going for 53 years until it was his time to take her home. When Paul realized what God was doing, he accepted it and then glorified God for it. It was through that infirmity of the flesh that God would show himself strong through Paul. God would receive more glory and Paul would have a greater ministry than he ever had before. My wife Pam glorified the Lord in her life and in her death. Through our weakness God can show himself strong in our life. He is seeking to glorify his great name and we need to trust him. It is important as Christians that we submit to the will of God and learn to completely trust him with the circumstances of our life. God is looking for Christians to glorify him in 2020 and serve him with all their heart and not be paralyzed by fear. Be a joyful servant and let your light shine brightly today.