Crossing the Jordan

Joshua would face three key issues soon after his promotion to leader. They would not be the only issues, but they would be significant challenges. He would always face the ongoing challenge of leading the people of God, but he would also face the challenge of crossing the Jordan in flood, and facing Jericho. It’s interesting isn’t it that just because God promises to be with you, it doesn’t follow that life will get easier or the challenges smaller.

Crossing the Jordan

As Joshua prepares the people to cross the Jordan they face some critical questions.

How do we know this is the right thing to do?
How do we know which way we should go?
How do you cross a river that is in flood… in fact how do you cross a river without a ford or a bridge anyway?

When faith is on the line, the questions always come thick and fast.

#1 Crossing the Jordan will require: Complete obedience

Everything would have to be done in accordance with God’s express command. But how do you know what he wants you to do? If guidance was easy, no one who wants to follow God would ever get it wrong. No one would misread the signs, misinterpret the instructions.

6 principles for guidance

#1 Follow the book

2Tim.3:16-17—All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

“Generally speaking… the will of God for the people of God is in the Word of God.” John Stott

#2 Trust God to guide and he will

Prov.3:5-6—Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

#3 Use your mind

Ps.32 says, “Don’t be like the mule”

Jesus quoted an established contraction of the 10 commandments when he said: Love the Lord your God with all your mind

Why does God seem to guide less directly as we get older in the faith?

“God does not want us neurotically dependent upon him, but willing trustful in him.” Eugene Petersen.

#4 One step at a time

God doesn’t show us more than we need to know. Peter escaped from prison “one step at a time”.

#5 There is one God

And it's not you!

Don’t tell God how to guide. Sometimes we’re in danger of trying to manipulate God in subtle ways.

#6 Listen for God’s voice

It sounds obvious, but it isn’t easy.

Fortunately we are not alone in our quest for guidance. Jesus said he would send the Holy Spirit to guide us in all truth.

The Holy Spirit works within certain parameters. He will guide us in truth, according to the Father’s plans.

Above all, guidance is an “eyes-open” issues. Just as you don’t close your eyes, and step of the kerb to cross the road, trusting God to guide you between the traffic, so you don’t walk through life with your spiritual eyes shut tight.

#2 Crossing the Jordan: Relationship was central

The people spent three days in preparation. Three days staring at the river in flood, but also three days when they could listen to God. It’s no accident that the ark is central to crossing the Jordan. 20 times it gets mentioned in this passage.

It’s the Ark of the Covenant: the symbol of relationship

It’s the ark of the Testimony: the sign of God’s trustworthiness

It’s the ark of the Lord: The one true living God (3:10 This is how you will know that the living God is among you)

#3 Crossing the Jordan: Go!

In all of this it’s easy to forget that they had to go.

We can spend all our time getting our guidance right, and then forget to follow through.
It wasn’t an easy thing for the people as they stood by the flooded banks of the Jordan. But the fulfilment of God’s promise lay on the other side of the river and it was time to step out.
Risk-taking faith goes hand-in-hand with guidance. God doesn’t call us to step out without any clue at all about what he’s calling us to do. The clues may be vague, but they will be there.
Abraham had no map just a promised land. The same was true for the Israelites as they broke camp in the wilderness for the last time.

Risk taking faith in hand with guidance is summed up in this:

When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, who are Levites 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. (3:3,4)

Wait; Consecrate, go.

How will you know what to do next as you seek to serve God?

Wait, consecrate, go.

When you see, move out and follow.