Traveling on in the Untrod Paths
Joshua 3:1-5
1 ΒΆ And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.
2 And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host;
3 And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.
4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.
5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.
We can no longer walk in 2014. It is completely over and gone. Our successes or failures of last year cannot be changed. Now 2015 is staring us in the face. You may say that it will just be the same as last year, but that is not so. There will be new challenges and new opportunities that were not present last year. There will be other people whom you will encounter and another whole new set of decisions to make. None of us have passed this way before.
Jer. 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Moses had died. Joshua was the new leader. Now Jordan was to be crossed and the task was to lay claim to the promised land.
What do you think that the children of God felt?
--Anxiety?
--Joy?
--Reservation?
--Fear?
--Entertaining Doubt?
In 1519, Hernando Cortes, arrived in the Yucutan, Mexico. He came with 11 ships and was comissioned by Spain to conquer the western hemisphere. He had 600 men with him and 20 some horses. He stopped at Cuba, and went on to Mexico. They were determined to get a treasure that legend had passed down to them. Cortes arrived to the shore with disgruntled men. They expected to get orders of job duties for the day. Instead, Cortes announced the order "Burn the Ships". Most were not too pleased with this announcement. He told them that only a coward would get back on the ship and try to go back. They had come to conquer and would not need these ships, he claimed. So the ships were destroyed, and the rest is history.
Get what God desires for you. Don't be thwarted by following your own desires.
A. Faithflessness---like the two and a half tribes who stayed behind.
B. Folly--related to lack of faith
Prov. 17:16
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
C. Fear
Prov. 29:25
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
Don't get Distracted: Mark 4:18,19
18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
1. by the NATURAL---fun and fulfillment (cares of this world)
2. by the REASONABLE--(deceitfulness of riches)
3. by the BEAUTIFUL--(lust of other things)
Don't be Beset by Disappointments
We get too set on our own wants and wishes. Setbacks are for certain and God has a purpose in allowing them.
Be Determined
Mt. 24:13
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Recognize God's Presence
Rely on God's Power
Rest in His Provisions
Respect His Precepts (Commands) v. 5 sanctify yourselves and He will work wonders for you.
