Book of Joshua Concerns the Conquest of Canaan Joshua 1 – Joshua prepares for the Conquest v. 2 – God says going over Jordan v. 5 – No one will stand against you vv. 7-8 – Follow the law = success v. 11 – people must prepare / be ready v. 16 – people say: will do and go

Book of Joshua Concerns the Conquest of Canaan Joshua 1 – Joshua prepares for the Conquest Joshua 2 – Sending out the spies to Jericho Spied out the city & made a deal with Rahab v. 24 – The report

Book of Joshua Concerns the Conquest of Canaan Joshua 1 – Joshua prepares for the Conquest Joshua 2 – Sending out the spies to Jericho Joshua 3 – Crossing the Jordan v. 1 - Camped at the Jordan for three days before they cross 2-4 – Officers went through the camp instructing the people

Never crossed the Jordan before Never taken walled cities before Joshua 3:4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before Never crossed the Jordan before Never taken walled cities before Never battled giants with chariots of iron New challenges New difficulties

As with Israel – We’ve Not Passed this Way Before Joshua 3:4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before As with Israel – We’ve Not Passed this Way Before Face Uncertain Challenges Have Divine Instruction Comforted from our Observations

We’ve Not Passed This Way Before Joshua 3:4 We’ve Not Passed This Way Before

We’ve Not Passed This Way Before Joshua 3:4 The Uncertain Challenges

Things look difficult ♦ Untrodden Paths ♦ A bit intimidating The Uncertain Challenges Things look difficult ♦ Untrodden Paths ♦ A bit intimidating Crossing the Jordan (v. 8) The Jordan is overflowing at the time (v. 15) Not crossed the river in this fashion before None of the present generation (ex: Joshua & Caleb) passed through Red Sea Waters are deep & swift – how on earth were they going to cross it? It very well could be that you are standing on shore of your Jordan today!

Things look difficult ♦ Untrodden Paths ♦ A bit intimidating The Uncertain Challenges Things look difficult ♦ Untrodden Paths ♦ A bit intimidating Crossing the Jordan (v. 8) The Mighty People (v. 10) Early reports were of giants in land (Num. 13) Not just that they may be problem – but you will drive them out of the land! Not just one group – but many nations! It very well could be that you are facing some mighty people in your own life! (Some challenge as great as conquering a land and driving the inhabitants away!)

Things look difficult ♦ Untrodden Paths ♦ A bit intimidating The Uncertain Challenges Things look difficult ♦ Untrodden Paths ♦ A bit intimidating Crossing the Jordan (v. 8) The Mighty People (v. 10) Trusting God (vv. 13-17) God says the waters will heap up. God says you will cross over on dry land When get in the middle of river bed – look up to the wall of water to their right will they trust that God will do what he says? It could be that you are crossing your river today – and seeing the terrifying waters heaped above your head!

Things look difficult ♦ Untrodden Paths ♦ A bit intimidating The Uncertain Challenges Things look difficult ♦ Untrodden Paths ♦ A bit intimidating Crossing the Jordan (v. 8) The Mighty People (v. 10) Trusting God (vv. 13-17) Abundant Blessings (Deut. 6:10-12) They are about to have it better than ever had it in the wilderness! Can be a challenge (Jas. 1:9-11) Not always something bad that is a challenge It may be that you are eating from your new vineyards you never planted!

We Face Uncertain Challenges When We Have Not Passed This Way Before Change (Leaving home, moving away, going to college, new job, trying make it on your own) Repented (Can I do this? Doing what I have neglected will be hard, giving up some things – extremely hard) Getting married (Can I keep this together? ) Having Children (How can I raise this child to love God? What about the mistakes I’m sure to make?) Sickness Troubles in home (in marriage or with children) Aging Death Like Jonah we would rather go to Tarshish than meet the task in Nineveh! Like Moses we complain and claim to be slow of tongue to avoid a difficult circumstance!

We’ve Not Passed This Way Before Joshua 3:4 The Uncertain Challenges The Divine Instruction

God gives instructions for the challenges - We must have faith The Divine Instruction God gives instructions for the challenges - We must have faith The Lord will Guide You (v. 3) When see ark move – follow it (v. 3) Staying back from ark – you will know way to go (v. 4) Constantly urged to “hear” (v. 9) Point: just listen and follow instructions – all will be okay! Same is true with your uncertain challenges: Lord’s word tells you want is ahead Lord’s word tells you where to go / what to do

God gives instructions for the challenges - We must have faith The Divine Instruction God gives instructions for the challenges - We must have faith The Lord will Guide You (v. 3) Respect for the Divine (v. 4) Some distance between the ark & people Certain – that includes: deep fear of God Includes: respect for God and all things pertaining to God Means listen to instructions Means confidence in his promises Willing to put your life in his hands It may be that your untrodden path calls for your to have a greater respect of the Divine!

God gives instructions for the challenges - We must have faith The Divine Instruction God gives instructions for the challenges - We must have faith The Lord will Guide You (v. 3) Respect for the Divine (v. 4) Step in the Water (v. 13) Step into the waters of the overflowing Jordan! That is a real leap of faith! Confidence that the waters will be held back just as God said! Really believe that God can and will do what seems impossible! It may be time for you to quit planning and worrying and just step into the water by faith (2 Cor. 5:7)

We’ve Not Passed This Way Before Joshua 3:4 The Uncertain Challenges The Divine Instruction The Comforting Observations

Fundamental observations bring comfort in our challenges The Comforting Observations Fundamental observations bring comfort in our challenges Way is New to You, But Not to your God You have not been this way – but God has! Crossing the sea & conquering enemies – God has done before! Cast your cares upon him (1Pet. 5:7) – he knows what lies ahead The God helping you (Phil. 4:13) has help multitudes before you with the same challenge!

Fundamental observations bring comfort in our challenges The Comforting Observations Fundamental observations bring comfort in our challenges Way is New to You, But Not to your God Way is New to You, But Not to God’s People You have not been this way – but God’s people have! Israel before – crossed Red Sea! We are not the first to come to this point! Whatever your uncertain challenge – God’s people have faced that before!

Fundamental observations bring comfort in our challenges The Comforting Observations Fundamental observations bring comfort in our challenges Way is New to You, But Not to your God Way is New to You, But Not to God’s People Way is New to You, But Not More Dangerous Deep waters of Jordan and the thought of people on the other side – had to look like danger! Neither would be any more danger than the wilderness itself – If they follow close to God! He will never leave nor forsake (Heb. 13;5)

Fundamental observations bring comfort in our challenges The Comforting Observations Fundamental observations bring comfort in our challenges Way is New to You, But Not to your God Way is New to You, But Not to God’s People Way is New to You, But Not More Dangerous Way is New to You, But God Has Always Been Faithful Brought them out of Egypt Brought them through the wilderness Brought them to the promise land Means: he will be with you through conquest God will be with you and never leave you!

Fundamental observations bring comfort in our challenges The Comforting Observations Fundamental observations bring comfort in our challenges Way is New to You, But Not to your God Way is New to You, But Not to God’s People Way is New to You, But Not More Dangerous Way is New to You, But God Has Always Been Faithful Way is New to You, But Path is in Right Direction New to you – doesn’t mean it is the wrong path Progress demands a new path! Even if the way is uncertain and seems to be fearful, going in the right direction is comforting.

We’ve Not Passed This Way Before Joshua 3:4 The Uncertain Challenges The Divine Instruction The Comforting Observations