Trusting God at life’s obstacles, we consecrate ourselves in prayer and obedience, expecting His presence to lead us and perform wonders beyond our ability.
Some of us walked in today with a river in front of us. A challenge that feels swollen and strong, a problem that pushes against the banks of our courage. Maybe it’s a diagnosis that rattles you, a relationship that drains you, or a decision that confuses you. You’ve stood at the edge, heart pounding, eyes stinging, asking, “How do I move forward when I have no bridge?”
God loves to meet His people at the water’s edge. He loves the hush before a holy moment. He loves the sound of trembling hearts that still choose trust. He loves to show that His presence is more than a phrase—it is a Person among His people, a living Lord who leads, who speaks, who carries us where feet cannot go. Hear this simple line of truth from E.M. Bounds: “God shapes the world by prayer.” If God shapes the world by prayer, imagine what He might shape in you today. In your family. In your future. In our church. What happens when we set ourselves apart to Him, when we step where He points, when we expect Him to do what only He can do?
Have you noticed how often God’s wonders arrive on the heels of our willingness? Consecration comes before crossing. Obedience precedes overflow. Faith walks while the waters still run. And then—when the soles hit the shore—the river must answer to its Maker. The God who stood with Moses stands with Joshua; the God who stood with Joshua delights to stand with you. He has not lost His voice. He has not misplaced His power. He still opens paths no map can mark.
Let’s read together the account that sets the stage for wonder:
Joshua 3:5-9 (KJV) 5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you. 6 And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people. 7 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee. 8 And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan. 9 And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the LORD your God.
This is more than ancient history; this is living hope. The God who calls us to consecration calls us to confidence. The God who asks for obedience offers His nearness. When He goes before us, obstacles become opportunities for His fame. Can you picture Him stepping into your situation, shouldering your worry, steadying your next step? Can you hear Him whisper, “Come close and hear My words”?
God invites us to get ready. He moves, and He wants our hearts clear when He does. This is not busy work. This is the quiet work that makes room.
In Joshua’s day, God called for this work before anything else. He spoke to a whole people, not just a few. He asked them to set aside common things and fix their eyes on Him. That same call still meets us. It starts inside, then shows up in how we live.
“Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” That word carried weight. It meant washing and waiting. It meant pulling away from what distracts. It meant removing what was unclean. For us, this looks like honest repentance. We tell the truth to God about our sins. We forgive those who hurt us. We return what we took. We cut off habits that dull our love for Him. We make space for prayer and the Word. We clear our schedule so our soul can listen. We sort through our words, our spending, our screens, our food, our sleep. We ask the Spirit to mark anything that does not help us say yes to God. This is not a harsh call. This is a kind one. He asks for clean hands because He plans to put holy work in them.
God also gave a clear action to the leaders. “Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people.” The ark was the sign of His nearness and His rule. It went first. Plans did not go first. Tools did not go first. Charisma did not go first. The priests carried weight on their shoulders. They felt it with every step. That is what real service often feels like. It costs something. Yet the order brought peace. The people saw where to look. They did not stare at the river. They looked at the sign of God’s presence moving ahead. In that moment God also promised to lift Joshua in the eyes of the people. He was shaping trust in a leader who listened. That trust was not blind. It was tied to the Word, the ark, and obedience. In our day, we honor this pattern. We let God’s presence and Word set the pace. We pray for pastors, parents, and teachers to carry the weight with clean hearts. We walk in step with what God has made plain.
Then came the strangest line. “When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.” Feet would get wet. There was no way to keep them dry. The priests had to step in and hold their place. That is hard work. It asks for courage and patience at the same time. We know this feeling. You obey, and things still look the same. You hold steady in the middle of pressure. You do not run from the calling. You do not push for control. You stand where God told you to stand. You keep your eyes on Him. You keep your post. You keep your vows. You wait for His act in His time. This is the stillness of faith. It is strength dressed like quiet.
Joshua also called the people close. “Come hither, and hear the words of the LORD your God.” Before the river moved, their ears had to open. God’s Word explains what He is about to do. It names His intent. It tells you who He is. It gives you a step you can take. It gives courage a place to stand. So we draw near. We read the text out loud. We sit under sound teaching. We seek wise counsel that is shaped by Scripture. We ask the Spirit to press a line into our hearts. We write it down. We pray it back to God. We line up our choices with what He said. We confess when we drift. We come back again and again. Hearing comes before doing, and hearing keeps us steady while we wait.
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