Summer At Sea: Week 5 Day 1
Joshua 3:1-8
Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. 2 After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 3 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. 4 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.” 5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” 6 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. 7 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. 8 Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’ ”
Has there ever been a time when you had everything figured out? Which school to attend, car to buy, job to take, or person to marry? There have been many times I thought I had it all figured out only to get part way through my plan and realize I was lost and needed help!
Today Joshua tells the Israelites, “‘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’” (Joshua 3:3). The Ark was the representation of God. Joshua was telling them, stay back and let God lead us! If we keep our eyes on God, He will care for us.
If we rush in instead of waiting and following God’s plan, we tend to do our will instead of His. When we are running ahead of God there is more reliance on self, and less on God. When we step back and keep God in view, it assures us that we are following His plan for our lives. One way I have done this in my own life is praying for “pauses.” Taking a moment to check in before I respond with my comment, or give advice, or make a big decision. I have asked God to “pause me,” so I remember to check in with Him first.
Think back to a time when you were leading instead of God. How could the outcome have changed if God had been leading instead? Planning ahead, what are some ways you can ensure God is leading your life?