When God moves, we are to follow

When God moves, we are to follow

Goshen/Sharing by Pastor Daniel/30Sep11

The theme this year is “the Next Level” and God is leading the church to new, exciting places. One of the key verses for the year is Hebrews 11:8 “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. “ Faith is not only believing in spite of evidence, but obeying in spite of the consequences.

On the flight home from Melbourne, Pastor Daniel was led by God to study Joshua Chapter 3. In this passage, the children of Israel were camped at the Jordan River, about to enter the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua.

“Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 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. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.” Joshua 3:1-4

When the Israelites saw the ark moving, they were to follow since they had never been that way before. The principle for us, is the same. When God moves, we are to follow, even to a place we have never been before. Our job is to follow and trust God to lead us.

“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. 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.’” Joshua 3:7-8

“So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. Joshua 3:14-16

In Numbers 14, the Israelites who came out of Egypt had rebelled because of the bad reports of 10 people. The 10 represents unbelief, the comfort zone. Better be where it is safe back in Egypt where we have plenty to eat. Don’t do anything you don’t know. However, the Scripture records that Joshua and Caleb had a different spirit. This is very powerful. The Scripture doesn’t describe what spirit it is, just different, not unbelief…. Joshua and Caleb would rather be where God was although it was dangerous than to go back without God.

In Joshua 3-4, the ark is mentioned sixteen times. To move forward, we must be led by the presence of God. The ark represents the presence of God and the holiness of God. The manna in the ark is symbolic of God’s provision. Aaron’s rod is symbolic of God’s protection. The stones of God’s commandments is symbolic of God’s promises.

Only when the presence of God goes before us is there a guarantee of success. God will open a way. What should be our condition before we follow God?

“Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” Joshua 3:5

To consecrate (kadesh) means to be sanctified, hallowed, holy, separate. Are we ready for God to use us as his instrument?

“So the people crossed over opposite Jericho” Joshua 3:16.

It took faith for Moses to lift up his rod and part the Red Sea. It took faith for the priests to step into the water. Faith must be rooted in obedience. Faith is simply obeying the Word of God.

The Red Sea parted at the obedience of one man, the leader Moses. The Jordan River parted at the obedience of the people of God. The Red Sea symbolizes deliverance from sin.  The Jordan River represents the claiming of our inheritance. Once they passed the Jordan, they were in the promised land.

When the presence of God leads obedient people of God, the power of God will be displayed. When people obey, God blesses.