Lessons from the Jordan

Observations on new beginnings from Joshua 3-4, Crossing the Jordan:


Joshua 3:3-4 "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.

The ark of the covenant was considered to be the seat of God. Keep your eyes on God, so you will know the way to go.

Joshua 3:5 Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you."

Prepare yourself. Remove that which is unclean from your life. Set yourself apart for God. Expect great things.

Joshua 3:8 Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: 'When you reach the edge of the Jordan's waters, go and stand in the river.'"

Sometimes you have to wade in a little ways to be able to see God's work.

Joshua 4:20-24 And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. 21 He said to the Israelites, "In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, 'What do these stones mean?' 22 tell them, 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' 23 For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. 24 He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God."

Find a way to remember God's activity in your life and in the world. Be willing to share it with others.

Lord Jesus, As I come to this new beginning, create in me a clean heart and set me apart for God. As I wade in to the river, open my eyes to the amazing works you are doing among us.
Amen