(Moses) He brought us out of there in order to bring us in, to give us the land which He had sworn to our fathers. – Deuteronomy 6:23 (NASB)
Now Joshua was old and advanced in years when the LORD said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and a very large amount of the land remains to be possessed.” – Joshua 13:1 (NASB)
The Lord spoke to Joshua… “arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people…” – Joshua 1:1-2 (NASB)
(v.1) Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and they set out from Acacia Grove and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they crossed over. – Joshua 3:1 (NKJV)
The Jordan River is about a and (v.15)
Faith requires stepping out our
My step of faith was simply preparation for my step of faith
The LORD your God will clear away these nations before you little by little; you will not be able to put an end to them quickly, for the wild beasts would grow too numerous for you. – Deuteronomy 7:22 (NASB95)
Principle: builds upon
(David) “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” – 1 Samuel 17:37 (ESV)
Two thousand cubits is about a (v.4)
Before confrontation we need (v.5)
Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate (qadesh), (sanctify [KJV]) yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do miracles (amazing things [NIV]) among you.” – Joshua 3:5 (NASB)
Consecrate: qadesh – “to be holy; to sanctify” (VCED)
And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes… – Exodus 19:10 (CWSB)
You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
– 1 Peter 3:7 (NASB)
Faith steps based upon what (v.6)
When Joshua acts on what God has already said, then God speaks again giving (vv.7-8)
If not hearing, ask: “What’s the God said?”
(v.8) …Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided. The sons of Israel went through the midst of the sea on the dry land, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
– Exodus 14:21-22 (NASB95)
Joshua doesn’t hype up the people, he reminds them of (vv.9-13)
(Exodus 3:8 & 34:11) (Deuteronomy 5:26)
“Come here, and hear the words of the LORD (YAHWEH) your God (Elohim).” – Joshua 3:9 (NASB)
Stepping out in faith has the potential to look
God is working beyond what (v.16)
…for we walk by faith, not by sight – 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NASB)
Here faith required before we see anything happening (v.17)
And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm… – Joshua 3:17 (NASB)
Because they were willing to step and stand firm based only on what God there will be a (v.17)