Joshua 3:5 Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." English Standard Version (ESV)
In yesterday's post we considered those "times of transition", where changes take place in our lives and we realize that a chapter has closed and a new one is about to open. There can be a lot of anxiety, questioning, confusion and frustration in these times, especially if we let our emotions take control of the situation.
In today's passage in the preceding verse Joshua told the people "you have not passed this way before". They were approaching the Jordan river at flood stage and needed to cross. How would this happen? Joshua had been there 40 years earlier when Moses stood before the Red Sea. Moses had followed God's command and now Joshua was ready to do the same. He did not know for certain what was about to take place but he put one foot in front of the other in faith in following God, expecting something glorious to take place. It did.
We don't talk much of sanctification in these days, but to sanctify is to set yourself apart for God. It is an act of cleansing and of dedication, devotion. It is something we do and also something that God does in us at the same time. Joshua was trying to calm the people, relieve the anxiety and doubt and to look in hope and expectation for what God was going to do.
Do you have moments in your past where God has gone before you, you followed and He did something amazing? In this time of transition, He may be preparing you for something great again.
Max Lucado writes, "the oak indwells the acorn. Read your life backward and check your supplies. Re-relish your moments of success and satisfaction. For in the merger of the two, you find your uniqueness." Are you the acorn that God is about to turn into an oak? Set yourself apart and be ready for it.
Blessings,
Mike
Joshua 3:1-8The Message (MSG)
The Jordan
3 1-4 Joshua was up early and on his way from Shittim with all the People of Israel with him. He arrived at the Jordan and camped before crossing over. After three days, leaders went through the camp and gave out orders to the people: "When you see the Covenant-Chest of God, your God, carried by the Levitical priests, start moving. Follow it. Make sure you keep a proper distance between you and it, about half a mile—be sure now to keep your distance!—and you'll see clearly the route to take. You've never been on this road before."
5 Then Joshua addressed the people: "Sanctify yourselves. Tomorrow God will work miracle-wonders among you."
6 Joshua instructed the priests, "Take up the Chest of the Covenant and step out before the people." So they took it up and processed before the people.
7-8 God said to Joshua, "This very day I will begin to make you great in the eyes of all Israel. They'll see for themselves that I'm with you in the same way that I was with Moses. You will command the priests who are carrying the Chest of the Covenant: 'When you come to the edge of the Jordan's waters, stand there on the river bank.'"
Follow the verse of the day at mikesvotd.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment