Introduction

Good morning, church family. It's a blessing to be here with you today, in this gathering of believers, united in our love for the Lord and our desire to learn from His Word. Today, we're going to take a closer look at Joshua 3:1-6.

But before we do, I'd like to share a quote from a man who has greatly influenced my own understanding of the Christian faith. The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "By perseverance, the snail reached the ark." This simple yet profound statement reminds us of the importance of steadfastness in our faith journey, of the power that lies in our unwavering commitment to follow the path laid out for us by our Lord.

And so, as we turn our hearts and minds to the book of Joshua, we find ourselves standing alongside the Israelites on the brink of the Promised Land. They are about to enter into the land flowing with milk and honey, the tangible manifestation of God's promise to His people. But to claim this promise, they must first cross the Jordan River. This is no small task. It requires courage, faith, and above all, perseverance.

Let's read the passage together:

"Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 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. 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 told the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.' Joshua said to the priests, 'Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.' So they took it up and went ahead of them."

Pioneering the Promised Possessions

The first thing that stands out is the importance of faith. The Israelites had to believe that God would keep His promise, even when it seemed impossible. They had to trust that He would lead them into the Promised Land, even though they couldn't see it. This kind of faith is not easy. It requires us to let go of our doubts and fears, and to trust in God's plan for us.

But faith alone is not enough. The Israelites also had to take action. They had to pack up their belongings, leave their camp, and start walking towards the river. They had to step out of their comfort zone and into the unknown. This is a crucial lesson for us. We can't just sit back and wait for God to hand us His promises on a silver platter. We have to step out in faith and take action.

This brings us to the third aspect of pioneering the Promised Land: obedience. The Israelites had to follow God's instructions to the letter. They had to keep a certain distance from the Ark of the Covenant, they had to consecrate themselves, and they had to follow the Ark wherever it went. This kind of obedience is not always easy. It requires us to submit our will to God's will, and to trust that His ways are better than our ways.

Finally, we see the importance of perseverance. The Israelites had to keep going, even when the journey was tough. They had to keep their eyes on the prize, and not let anything distract them from their goal. This kind of perseverance is crucial in our faith journey. We will face obstacles and challenges, but we can't let them deter us. We have to keep going, keep trusting, and keep obeying, until we reach the Promised Land.

So, as we stand on the edge of our own Jordan Rivers, let's remember the lessons from the Israelites. Let's have faith in God's promises, let's take action, let's obey His commands, and let's persevere until we reach our Promised Land.

Perseverance in the Pioneer Path

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