God in our Journey
Introduction
3:5 – Key text
Quote from EJ Hamblyn
God’s people set out 89 times over 40 years
(Only 3 times in the book of Joshua)
The life of faith is a continual story of setting out
To cross is used 21 times
We are on a journey
God’s people did not journey alone
His presence was represented by the Ark of the Covenant
Explanation of the Ark of the Covenant
It represented God present with His people
God descended from heaven in His Shekinah glory
3:4 – to follow at a distance of a 1,000 yards (2,000 cubits)
Not easy terrain – including the River Jordan (up to 1 mile wide and 12 feet deep)
Where was God in this journey?
Overview:
God Before You
God Beyond You
God Beside You
God Behind You
God Before You
3:5 – God will sanctify you and do wonderful things
Move as consecrated vessels – holy people
Abstaining from legitimate privilege to get our priorities right
3:3 – God goes before us
3:4 – God leads us into new areas of life
Do not get familiar – keep a distance to the Ark
We cannot ‘handle’ or manipulate God
We must not lose sight of the Holiness of God
God is moving amongst us
The Holy Spirit is leading repentant sinners
Amazing things happened with a first step of faith
Picture the scene
3:16
Are you afraid of getting your feet wet?
God is before us
God Beyond You
3:5 – Impossible conditions
Of all times to cross the River Jordan – harvest time was the most dangerous (3:15)
The waters of the Jordan were completely cut off (3:16)
This was not luck or chance
It was a miracle of God
What God does ‘upstream’ has a direct bearing on us ‘downstream’
God’s providence directly affects our life
The Westminster shorter catechism of faith definition of providence
There is no such thing as ‘luck’ for the Christian
God Beyond You
God Beside You
3:5 – Have you ever felt in too deep?
3:17 – all passed through the Jordan on dry ground
The Ark of the Covenant was between the people and the waters
God was beside the people as they passed by
Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit
John 14:16 – a Paraclete, a counsellor
A friend
A legal help
Reading Isa 43:1-4
God is beside us in the depth of every situation we find ourselves
4:5-7 – Do you have monuments/special memories of God?
Quote from David Ralph Davies
Church anniversaries
Ps 103:2
How many stones of remembrance have been placed since your salvation?
God Beside You
God Behind You
4:11 – God was first in and last out
God first went before and then behind them
God has our back
Example of Pharaoh’s army
Are you afraid that past sins will catch up with you and destroy you?
We overcome the accuser in the blood of the Lamb
Our past sin is dealt with at Calvary
Rev 22:13
God is first in and last out in every journey we make
God’s goodness and mercy follows us
4:18 – The waters of the Jordan returned
Where is God is your life?
Are you still lost in sin?
Closing Remarks
Are you living in light of His proximity?
Do you know Him as Lord and Saviour?
Come to Him now