Crossing Your Jordan
Joshua 3
Joshua 3 (NLT)
Early the next morning Joshua and all the Israelites left Acacia and arrived at the banks of the Jordan River, where they camped before crossing. [2] Three days later, the Israelite leaders went through the camp [3] giving these instructions to the people: "When you see the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God, follow them. [4] Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you. Stay about a half mile behind them, keeping a clear distance between you and the Ark. Make sure you don’t come any closer."
Then Joshua told the people, "Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you."
[6] In the morning Joshua said to the priests, "Lift up the Ark of the Covenant and lead the people across the river." And so they started out.
[7] The Lord told Joshua, "Today I will begin to make you great in the eyes of all the Israelites. Now they will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses. [8] Give these instructions to the priests who are carrying the Ark of the Covenant: ’When you reach the banks of the Jordan River, take a few steps into the river and stop.’ "
So Joshua told the Israelites, "Come and listen to what the Lord your God says. [10] Today you will know that the living God is among you. He will surely drive out the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites. [11] Think of it! The Ark of the Covenant, which belongs to the Lord of the whole earth, will lead you across the Jordan River! [12] Now choose twelve men, one from each tribe. [13] The priests will be carrying the Ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth. When their feet touch the water, the flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will pile up there in one heap."
When the people set out to cross the Jordan, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them. [15] Now it was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, [16] the water began piling up at a town upstream called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the city of Jericho. [17] Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Lord’s covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by them. They waited there until everyone had crossed the Jordan on dry ground.
What is God Saying to You?
- God had spoken - Joshua 1:1-3
Joshua 1:1-3 (NLT)
After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, [2] "Now that my servant Moses is dead, you must lead my people across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. [3] I promise you what I promised Moses: ’Everywhere you go, you will be on land I have given you—
What is God Saying to You?
- God had spoken - Joshua 1:1-3
- Giving direction
- Giving assurance
- Giving deliverance
- Giving strength
- Joshua readied himself – Joshua 1:10-11
Joshua 1:10-11 (NLT)
Joshua then commanded the leaders of Israel, [11] "Go through the camp and tell the people to get their provisions ready. In three days you will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land the Lord your God has given you."
Follow the Lord’s Leading
- The Lord’s movement requires a response
- The people were to break camp and follow the ark
- We must keep the Lord in sight
- We are going where we’ve never been before
- He already knows the way
- Hazards
- Obstacles
Consecrate Yourself
- Making ready
- Dealing with the inner being
- Agendas
- Grudges
- Animosity
- Lust
- Anything that is sinful
- Preparing to meet with God
- Being set apart
- A living sacrifice – Romans 12:1
Romans 12:1 (NLT)
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?
A Crisis of Belief
- Your “Jordan River” will always be at flood stage
- The danger is obvious
- The hazard is beyond your ability to control it
- The river will appear impossible to cross
- A decision must be made
- Will you trust and obey
- Will you freeze and retreat
Faith Begins With the First Step
- Standing on the banks is not enough
- The priests were commanded to stand in the water
- Only when the feet of the priests hit the water would the waters be cut off
- The results may not be immediate
- The water piled up to form a crossing point
- Don’t give up
Crossing Over
- This is the time
- The Lord has created this unique opportunity
- It may never come again
- The Lord will see you safely through
- He will not release the waters until you have safely crossed
Are Your Feet Wet?
**Powerpoint available on request
