KEY VERSE:
“Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” – Joshua 3:5
INTRODUCTION:
When God gave Joshua instructions to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River into the Promised Land, they found themselves standing at the edge of an overwhelming difficulty. The Jordan River was raging, and it seemed impossible to cross. But at this critical moment, they had to act upon the word of the Lord, even when it seemed like there was no way forward. They had to demonstrate a proof-producing faith.
Joshua led the people to the edge of their difficulty, and they waited for God to move. Their willingness to follow God’s instructions and move forward in faith, even in the face of adversity, positioned them for a miraculous breakthrough.
MESSAGE:
At the edge of difficulty, many people are tempted to give up, settle in their struggles, or delay their action. But the Israelites didn’t wait around. They took the first step, trusting God’s direction, and prepared for a miracle. If they had stayed back in Shittim, they might have waited forever. But because they obeyed and moved toward their challenge, they saw God move mightily.
Joshua instructed the people, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God and the priests and the Levites bearing it, then you shall remove from your place and go after it.” (Joshua 3:3) The Ark of the Covenant symbolized God’s presence, and as they followed it, they were taking a step of faith, trusting that God would make a way where there seemed to be no way.
In our own lives, God doesn’t always move in the same way He did in the past. Just as the Israelites could no longer rely on the cloud or fire to lead them, we cannot always expect God to move in the same manner. He guided their fathers with the pillar of cloud and fire. He led Joshua’s generation through the Ark of the Covenant. Today, He guides us by the Holy Spirit.
As we walk into new seasons, we must be open to the new ways God will lead us through His Holy Spirit. He’s not bound by past methods, and our ability to embrace the new moves of God will determine how far we go in our journey with Him.
Joshua also told the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” (Joshua 3:5). God is about to move mightily, but first, the people had to prepare their hearts. To receive the miraculous, you must first sanctify yourself. It’s not just about being physically ready but being spiritually prepared to see God move in your life.
CONCLUSION:
Are you standing at the edge of a challenge today? Like the Israelites, you must not shrink back in fear or complacency. Move forward in faith, trusting that God will make a way. The miraculous power of God is waiting to be unleashed in your life, but first, you must act in obedience and prepare yourself spiritually. God is still in the business of doing wonders, and He is waiting to do them in, for, and through you.
Take a step of faith today, move forward with purpose, and get ready to witness God’s mighty power working in your life!
PRACTICAL REFLECTION:
- Have you encountered an obstacle or challenge that seems insurmountable?
- Are you willing to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit into new territory, even if it looks different from what you’ve experienced before?
- What steps of faith can you take today to prepare for the wonders that God is about to do in your life?
PRAYER POINTS:
- Lord, help me to step forward in faith, even when the path seems unclear.
- Holy Spirit, lead me in new ways to fulfill Your purposes for my life.
- Father, sanctify my heart and prepare me for the miraculous wonders You are about to do in my life.
FURTHER STUDY:
- Joshua 3:1-17
- Exodus 40:34-38
- Acts 16:6-10
Favoured