You have not passed this way before...

This past week the realization has been sinking in that instead of going home where everything is "normal" after the past two months of training, we are about to move out of the country where normal will never be the same. I don't know if anyone else feels like "normal" has recently flown out the window, but God really brought my heart peace this last week through the story of Joshua leading Israel across the Jordan. If you find yourself in the same boat, maybe this will be an encouragement to you too as God takes you by the hand. Here were a few of the things that stood out to me as I read through Joshua 3-4.

If you want a reminder of the story, you can check it out by clicking here. 

3:3-4 - the Israelites were told to immediately follow the ark (presence of God) when it started moving forward but they were told to keep a certain distance behind it "in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before." This was a great reminder to me to follow Him in obedience and not try to get ahead of God and do things on my own. I am just to follow Him because I "have not passed this way before."

3:5 - Joshua told the people to "consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." What a great reminder that God desires to do wonders among us when we set ourselves apart for His purpose.

3:13 - the Jordan didn't part until "the soles of the the priests feet came to rest in the Jordan" - He wanted them to be "all in" following the Lord before He showed His power.


4:21-24 - the Israelites were to set up 12 stones as a memorial of what The Lord had done so that when their children asked what the stones meant they could share about the faithfulness of God. It helps me to keep moving forward when I know this will teach not only me but my kids that our God is mighty to save.

4:24 - "so that all people of the earth may know that the hand of The Lord is mighty." - I loved that then and now He cares about all the people of the earth and that He still desires to show Himself to all the earth when people are willing to allow Him to do whatever He desires in their lives.