Moving Onward And Upward Series

Joshua 1:11

Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.

Joshua 3:2-4

2 After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 3 giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests 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. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.”

Joshua 3:7

This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.

The Lord declared, “Now is the time for the occupation of Caanan!” But, first, there was a TRANSITION to be made! They were confronted with a definite moment of choice that would change Israel from a wandering nation to a settled nation, from a people living in hope of a promise to a people living in possession of the promise! The ’crossing over’ was much more than moving the camp from one side of a river to the other. It was a time of commitment, a time of ending one era and entering another.

If we realize the Promises of God in our lives, the very first thing that you and I must be ready to do is to move ahead obediently into transitions – even with all the uncertainty that comes with change. Transitions are often traumatic and always require great faith to realize their full promise!

How well do you do change? What are some of those transitions from 2017 to 2018? Some of these transitions are driven by time, others by experience. Teen to Career. Youth to Marriage; lots of questions, lots of uncertainty, lots of optimism. From couple to family. Preparing for old age, accepting our mortality! Some are going from working for someone to starting their own business. Some of you are going to transition from being a part-time minister to a full-time minister. An unexpected job offer etc. Be ready for a transition.

The question is – will you cower in fear of what lies on the other side of the crossing or move forward in confidence to enter a new place of promise?

Joshua 3:3-4

3 Joshua said: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests 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.”

When you are ready for the transition, the time will come when God will start moving onward and upward.

6. MOVE ONWARD AND UPWARD WITH GOD

Joshua focused the attention of the Israelites on the Ark of the Covenant. Do you know what the Ark was? This was the visible symbol of the presence of God among the people of Israel. “Focus on the presence of the Lord,” he told the people, “for he is the One who will lead us into Caanan.”

Joshua 1:5

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.