In Joshua 3, it starts with Joshua rising early to continue the journey. I saw a sermon recently where the pastor expanded on this. The early morning is where we have the most peace, solitude and sharpness of mind. Joshua gave this part of his day to God, we too can practice this discipline in our prayer and bible study. Continuing, it says Joshua came to Shittim, and all the children of Israel lodged there. They lodged here for three days, this shows us that in our transition, there will be moments where we must position ourselves and remain still. It goes on to say “…and it came to pass after three days…” The children of Israel had to wait these three days before receiving instruction from God. The instructions were given as to how they were to cross the Jordan river. What is your attitude like in these resting periods? How do you spend them? I think this is very important to receive direction from God. Let us rest in his promises and remain faithful in the times where we are no longer moving. We can only rest in these times if we have faith. Enter faith and enter rest. We will find ourselves worrying less about the next step, to resting completely in His promises and timing.
After receiving the exact instruction about how they are to cross, Joshua says to them “Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” I like this instruction because it shows one of the processes for experiencing the wonders of God; sanctification. How can we sanctify ourselves? By putting on the righteousness of Christ. Before handling difficult circumstances, pray and sanctify yourself. Take hold of the benefits of the work of the cross; Christ died for us and His blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness. By hanging on the cross, He became a curse, so that we do not have to undergo any curses, we are free. He also took upon Him shame, so we don’t have to feel ashamed, beloved take hold of all the benefits of the cross, because it is yours. Once we sanctify ourselves, we can proceed with boldness and expect wonders. This is the principle here, to receive and experience the wonders, it helps to first sanctify! God is a God of order, let us respect His principles and reap the benefits.
After the sanctification, then came the miracle! The soles of the priests bearing the ark of the Lord touched the waters of the Jordan and the flow was cut off, so the Israelites walked across on dry ground. This was at a time of year where the river was flooding its banks, it was truly a miracle, that allowed the Israelites to cross over the Jordan river, on DRY ground. The priests stood there until all the children of Israel crossed over. This is the mighty Hand of God revealing itself to the sanctified. We too have access to this supernatural power, if we sanctify before engaging. There are principles to Christian warfare, if we disobey them, we will lose, as we will see in the coming chapters.
Important takeaway points: Sanctify yourself to see the wonders of God.
Rest in faith, knowing your instruction for your next move will come in due time.
After receiving the exact instruction about how they are to cross, Joshua says to them “Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” I like this instruction because it shows one of the processes for experiencing the wonders of God; sanctification. How can we sanctify ourselves? By putting on the righteousness of Christ. Before handling difficult circumstances, pray and sanctify yourself. Take hold of the benefits of the work of the cross; Christ died for us and His blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness. By hanging on the cross, He became a curse, so that we do not have to undergo any curses, we are free. He also took upon Him shame, so we don’t have to feel ashamed, beloved take hold of all the benefits of the cross, because it is yours. Once we sanctify ourselves, we can proceed with boldness and expect wonders. This is the principle here, to receive and experience the wonders, it helps to first sanctify! God is a God of order, let us respect His principles and reap the benefits.
After the sanctification, then came the miracle! The soles of the priests bearing the ark of the Lord touched the waters of the Jordan and the flow was cut off, so the Israelites walked across on dry ground. This was at a time of year where the river was flooding its banks, it was truly a miracle, that allowed the Israelites to cross over the Jordan river, on DRY ground. The priests stood there until all the children of Israel crossed over. This is the mighty Hand of God revealing itself to the sanctified. We too have access to this supernatural power, if we sanctify before engaging. There are principles to Christian warfare, if we disobey them, we will lose, as we will see in the coming chapters.
Important takeaway points: Sanctify yourself to see the wonders of God.
Rest in faith, knowing your instruction for your next move will come in due time.