Message Title: How to Move Forward Gods Way
Message Truth: We either seek peace through control or peace through Surrender
Message Text: Joshua 3:1-17
The “BEFORE” Principle
Before you get up and go (v. 2-15)
- We Must Wait Before Moving Ahead (v. 2)
The children of Israel did. For forty years they had waited, while an entire generation died. The promise had been deferred because of the unbelief of the elders. And now they would wait again with the destination in sight. They were not happy campers. Too often we want God’s resources, but we do not want his timing. We forget that the work God is doing in us while we wait is as important as whatever we are waiting for. Waiting means that we give God the benefit of the doubt that he knows what he is doing. Waiting is the first fundamental of the before principle.
- We Have to Surrender Today Before Blessings Tomorrow (v. 5)
Then and now God calls his people to holiness, purity, and separation. For the Israelites on the edge of the Jordan, this meant washing themselves with water and practicing the ceremonial rites that would make them clean. They were to flush their minds of the filth and dirt that had accumulated over the years. They were to approach God with pure hearts, clean hands and feet, and blameless minds.
“Consecrate yourselves [today], because the Lord will do wonders among you tomorrow” (Joshua 3:5). Again the before principle comes to the forefront. The need for holiness, purity, and separation comes before the blessings of tomorrow, not the other way around. We often believe that if God will bless then we’ll get our lives right. God says that holiness precedes honor. Cleanliness comes before usefulness. Penance before power.
- We Must Step Out in Faith Before We See God Act (vv. 14-15)
Before God would part the waters of the Jordan a condition had to be met – a step of faith. “But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan, their feet touched the at its edge and the water flowing downstream stood still, rising up in a mass . . .” (Joshua 3:15-16). Do you see the before principle? God promised that the current of the Jordan would be dammed up but first the people had to step in the water.
Christians (as well as everyone else) have a natural tendency to try building a life in which faith is unnecessary. We establish a comfort zone where everything is in our control, but this is not pleasing to God. God will allow things into our lives that drive us to utter dependence upon Him. Then we see His power and His glory.” Henry Blackaby
Challenge: Where do you need to risk? How is God calling you to get your feet wet?