WHEN AT THE CROSSOVER POINT AND DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO

SCRIPTURE:

“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.’”  9 Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God. 10 This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. 11 See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you. 12 Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. 13 And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.” (Joshua 3:1—13)

OBSERVATION:

            All of us face new challenges from time to time in life.  Joshua is about to set out on his new assignment.  The journey is from Shittim to Jordan, where they will camp before CROSSING OVER.  Crossing over to a new assignment and to a new role is only sometimes a pleasant thing, especially when you have to work with people.  Before crossing over, the officers have to prepare the people and give them instructions and orders for the journey. 

            I am reminded here of the importance of preparing oneself for CROSSOVER in life, especially as a follower of Jesus. These are important guiding principles for crossing over. Many of the Israelites have been this way before. So, they must listen to the instructions given by the officers from Joshua.

• Preparing oneself to ponder what to do and where to go is essential.  Preparation is a must so we can discern from God which way to go and what to do because many of us have not been that way before.
• I must keep my eyes on the ARK OF THE COVENANT, which represents God’s presence. My eyes must always be fixed on God’s presence. When God moves, I move. In other words, I don’t move and then expect God to follow me where I am going. I must follow him and not stay too long where it is comfortable for me.
• I must CONSECRATE myself in order to see the amazing things the Lord will do. To consecrate oneself is to be “set apart” and to dedicate oneself to God’s purpose.  No one expects to have God do amazing things in their lives, yet live life any way they want.  To live a consecrated life is to sacrifice all in obedience to God. 
• When God chooses a person, He will also promote that person. In any new role or position, there is no need to try to promote ourselves before others. We need to step into the role and let God exalt us. Today, I learned that in any role, I must exalt God’s word and put him first. It is not my role to exalt myself as a leader; that is God’s responsibility. My role is to follow God’s word. 
• I must learn to LISTEN to the WORDS of the Lord, my God. Hearing the Words of the Lord is the only sure way for me to know where I am or whether I should wait or move. This is crucial to my journey. I must not move presumptuously.  
• I must trust God to DRIVE OUT before me obstacles that prevent my progressing forward to settle in my new role.  All CROSSOVER in life have obstacles along the way. 
• Lastly, I must choose a team that will help me share the responsibility of what God is telling me to do. 

APPLICATION:

            To Crossover in any area in life will always have obstacles as we progress forward to our goals.  I will continue to seek Jesus’ will and purpose as I journey with him.  I want to move when God says to; I want to hear his word clearly when he speaks.  I want to trust God to drive out enemies of his purpose.  I will commit myself to honor and obey his word.  I will refrain from promoting myself and exalting myself before others.  I want God to be honored and glorified rather than me tooting my own horn about my role. 

PRAYER:

            Jesus, I ask that you teach me how to walk in such a way that I will always honor and obey you.  Please teach me to trust in your word. Please teach me how to trust in you as you lead me to your intended goal and purposes.  I am grateful for the reminder to trust you in all my ways and not to trust my own wits.  Please help me hear your thoughts clearly and help me stay away from presumptuous sin.  I look to you daily for your guidance.  Amen!