January 18th, 2024
“…you have never been this way before” Joshua 3:4
“Lord, I’ve never done this before,”… have you spoken or felt those words in recent times? As we look ahead to the landscape of our own lives and this church, we find ourselves in a place of new things— somewhere we have never been.
We know God is faithful. When we reflect back on seasons when we had no idea what we were doing— like getting married (!), bringing home a new baby, moving across the country, answering His call to ministry, navigating disappointments, loss, and new opportunities, He has sustained and upheld us. We’re sure you could say the same about your own life story. And yet, there can still be some hesitation when God says: “we’re going somewhere new, a place you’ve never been”.
Sooner or later, we all find ourselves navigating uncertain transitions. And, more often than not, change has a way of shaking our confidence and magnifying our doubts.
Joshua 3 brings us to a similar place.
As the chapter begins, an entire generation is standing on the edge of a significant shift. After 40 years of desert dwelling, the Israelites are moving to the land God has promised them. But before they begin their journey, the Lord offers some important instructions.
“… 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 3:3-4
Three things to note here: the first is that He tells them when they see the ark, they need to “move out from their positions” and “follow it”. And then, they will know which way to go into the “never been” land.
Today, is there a “position” of your heart— a mindset, a habit, a way of living, that God is asking you to move out from so that He can lead you somewhere you’ve never been?
By directing the Israelites to fix their gaze on the ark (His presence), God redirects the focus of their journey from their uncertainties to His constancy. “I know you haven’t done this before,” He acknowledges, “but if you keep your eyes on Me, I’ll show you the way.”
Maybe they thought, or maybe we think: “Oh, but God, we need a plan! We need a better idea of what this journey might look like, of what you may require of us! Can you just give us a sketch, an outline, a picture of what is coming?” But He didn’t. What He did give them was the promise of His presence. It was the Ark of His presence that would lead them— not a well-laid out plan. His presence would guide them, sustain them, strengthen them for an unimaginable journey to a place they had never been.
It’s pretty awesome that even before this moment, God had already made a promise to Joshua. “This is my command— be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”. Joshua 1:9 God was ahead of him, already very aware of where He would lead His people.
In Joshua 3:5, it says: “And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” The Hebrew word for "sanctify" means "to set apart for God's use.” Will we set ourselves apart for Him? May we dig deep to find those positions that we need to move out from in order to prepare for where we are headed. We’ve never been there, but He says that He’ll lead us each step of the way. He’s promised to be with us wherever we go!
We want to see God move in an impossible, doesn’t-make-sense kind of way. In fact, we are desperate for Him to do so. We feel His leading that the time is NOW. Let’s get up and get going!
God’s promises are too great to just merely exist through this life. He is the God of never-beens! No matter who or where we are, or what we are facing, He can do things we’ve never seen or could not imagine.
“Listen, I am making a covenant with you in the presence of all your people. I will perform miracles that have never been performed anywhere in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people around you will see the power of the Lord—the awesome power I will display for you.” Exodus 34:10
Will you read Isaiah 43:1-19 with us today?
We’re following Him into new things: No Turning Back (click to listen).
Let’s leave the past, begin anew, and see God move!
The church is open today and tomorrow from 7am-7pm. We hope you’ll come up and pray, take communion, and worship in His presence. Friday night at 7pm, we will conclude our fast with a powerful Worship Night!
Pastors Josh + Tori
“Lord, I’ve never done this before,”… have you spoken or felt those words in recent times? As we look ahead to the landscape of our own lives and this church, we find ourselves in a place of new things— somewhere we have never been.
We know God is faithful. When we reflect back on seasons when we had no idea what we were doing— like getting married (!), bringing home a new baby, moving across the country, answering His call to ministry, navigating disappointments, loss, and new opportunities, He has sustained and upheld us. We’re sure you could say the same about your own life story. And yet, there can still be some hesitation when God says: “we’re going somewhere new, a place you’ve never been”.
Sooner or later, we all find ourselves navigating uncertain transitions. And, more often than not, change has a way of shaking our confidence and magnifying our doubts.
Joshua 3 brings us to a similar place.
As the chapter begins, an entire generation is standing on the edge of a significant shift. After 40 years of desert dwelling, the Israelites are moving to the land God has promised them. But before they begin their journey, the Lord offers some important instructions.
“… 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 3:3-4
Three things to note here: the first is that He tells them when they see the ark, they need to “move out from their positions” and “follow it”. And then, they will know which way to go into the “never been” land.
Today, is there a “position” of your heart— a mindset, a habit, a way of living, that God is asking you to move out from so that He can lead you somewhere you’ve never been?
By directing the Israelites to fix their gaze on the ark (His presence), God redirects the focus of their journey from their uncertainties to His constancy. “I know you haven’t done this before,” He acknowledges, “but if you keep your eyes on Me, I’ll show you the way.”
Maybe they thought, or maybe we think: “Oh, but God, we need a plan! We need a better idea of what this journey might look like, of what you may require of us! Can you just give us a sketch, an outline, a picture of what is coming?” But He didn’t. What He did give them was the promise of His presence. It was the Ark of His presence that would lead them— not a well-laid out plan. His presence would guide them, sustain them, strengthen them for an unimaginable journey to a place they had never been.
It’s pretty awesome that even before this moment, God had already made a promise to Joshua. “This is my command— be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”. Joshua 1:9 God was ahead of him, already very aware of where He would lead His people.
In Joshua 3:5, it says: “And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” The Hebrew word for "sanctify" means "to set apart for God's use.” Will we set ourselves apart for Him? May we dig deep to find those positions that we need to move out from in order to prepare for where we are headed. We’ve never been there, but He says that He’ll lead us each step of the way. He’s promised to be with us wherever we go!
We want to see God move in an impossible, doesn’t-make-sense kind of way. In fact, we are desperate for Him to do so. We feel His leading that the time is NOW. Let’s get up and get going!
God’s promises are too great to just merely exist through this life. He is the God of never-beens! No matter who or where we are, or what we are facing, He can do things we’ve never seen or could not imagine.
“Listen, I am making a covenant with you in the presence of all your people. I will perform miracles that have never been performed anywhere in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people around you will see the power of the Lord—the awesome power I will display for you.” Exodus 34:10
Will you read Isaiah 43:1-19 with us today?
We’re following Him into new things: No Turning Back (click to listen).
Let’s leave the past, begin anew, and see God move!
The church is open today and tomorrow from 7am-7pm. We hope you’ll come up and pray, take communion, and worship in His presence. Friday night at 7pm, we will conclude our fast with a powerful Worship Night!
Pastors Josh + Tori
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