I have written the following sharing a few years back and though it was written way before our church move to Dream Centre (we move in September 2007), I think it is good to share it here today, as a reminder for me as well as for those who are reading.. God's Word is relevant to different ones at different times. I also begin to realise more that as the Lord speaks so much yet how much could I understand.. I do wonder alot of times about that.. Gladly, I am assured by Him that in His Time, I will understand.. in His Time, things would be clearer and clearer.. like jigsaw puzzle... :) Read on and be blessed..
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This was something that I have prayed, reflected upon and written for a mini sermon shared with my cell group members during our October 2005 CG retreat at Allson Kelana... Amazing how God helped me to gather the thoughts and came with the following just by reading and reflecting on Joshua chapter 3 and chapter 4.... Even as I spoke during the retreat, could literally feel God speaking through me... It really wasn't me speaking.... It was God.... Awesome experience and I pray that there will be more and more of such experiences in the coming days....
Background: The Israelites have been wandering in the desert for 40 years. Finally, they were allowed to enter the land promised to their fathers. The Jordan river is like the boundary between the desert and promised land. As you read Joshua 3 and 4, close your eyes and imagine the environment then, the response of the people then, etc. Imagine/ visualize; put yourselves in the shoes of Israelites. What is the one thought that come to your mind? What do you think your expectations would be? Any fears?
Perhaps some of us are going through the desert period; or the moments of waiting like at the boundary of Jordan waiting to cross over or in the journey of crossing the Jordan, walking step by step. As we walk, we see God’s hands working.
In fact, a lot of us have gone through many transitions in life. Just for example, my own self, within a year plus, I have gone through many transitions. From a job to study of six months to part time job and then to a job….. In the midst of that, became a cell leader, gone through changes in the family to having sister in law and soon a nephew. Some of you as you know yourselves have gone through transitions or are going through transitions in life. As we go through the various transitions, may it be tough or easy, heart lifting or heart breaking, we need to be reminded of the above four lessons.
If it is time for us to cross over, He will bring us over. But if we are to wait, we need to wait in Him, in His presence.
There are many lessons to be learnt from this. But we focus on 4 lessons to be learnt for today.
1. Listen to Instructions (Chp 3:2; 3); Be Obedient
I believe as the Israelites were preparing to cross over, there were some who were fearful of what is ahead. Some went with faith, excited, some wondered what is happening but followed along anyway.
It is ok not to know everything but most importantly is to know that God holds our future. So, where do our instructions come from? It is from the book of Life, the Word of God.
I believe as the Israelites were preparing to cross over, there were some who were fearful of what is ahead. Some went with faith, excited, some wondered what is happening but followed along anyway.
It is ok not to know everything but most importantly is to know that God holds our future. So, where do our instructions come from? It is from the book of Life, the Word of God.
2. Chest of Covenant, the Ark of God’s covenant (Chp 3:14, 17; 4:17)
God’s presence goes before us. And also it was there until everyone crossed the river, meaning God’s presence will not leave us. So, we need to ask God’s presence to go before and with us in everything that we do. When His presence goes with us, there will be peace and smoothness.
God’s presence goes before us. And also it was there until everyone crossed the river, meaning God’s presence will not leave us. So, we need to ask God’s presence to go before and with us in everything that we do. When His presence goes with us, there will be peace and smoothness.
3. Miracle of God (Chp 3:15-16)
What the Israelites went through was extreme. Why is that? So that we can know that God can do anything and everything. He will turn the most impossible to possible. Just imagine why did they need to cross over during flood time when the river current was the strongest and most violent? God gives us miracles and assurance so that we would truly know of His existence and power. Chp 4:24 says “He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God.”
What the Israelites went through was extreme. Why is that? So that we can know that God can do anything and everything. He will turn the most impossible to possible. Just imagine why did they need to cross over during flood time when the river current was the strongest and most violent? God gives us miracles and assurance so that we would truly know of His existence and power. Chp 4:24 says “He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God.”
4. Remember This Day! (Chp 4:5)
In our lives, we also had many Miracles from God. It may not be so extreme but we need to remember them and be thankful. For a start, the fact that all of us are saved is a miracle. Salvation is a miracle from God. So, we need to remind ourselves because human being after a while, tend to forget. One way of remembering is to keep journal. Or even put small little cards in places where we could see and remind ourselves.
In our lives, we also had many Miracles from God. It may not be so extreme but we need to remember them and be thankful. For a start, the fact that all of us are saved is a miracle. Salvation is a miracle from God. So, we need to remind ourselves because human being after a while, tend to forget. One way of remembering is to keep journal. Or even put small little cards in places where we could see and remind ourselves.
We need to remember it because when we go through tough times, we can hold on to God because of the Lord’s goodness to us.
I personally believe that our church at this stage is going through such a journey, crossing the Jordan. That is my own personal view as I studied these two chapters. As a CG or as family or as individual, to be in line with the church’s vision, we too will be going through it. We may not see it that clearly now or we may have seen it, in the spirit.
In fact, a lot of us have gone through many transitions in life. Just for example, my own self, within a year plus, I have gone through many transitions. From a job to study of six months to part time job and then to a job….. In the midst of that, became a cell leader, gone through changes in the family to having sister in law and soon a nephew. Some of you as you know yourselves have gone through transitions or are going through transitions in life. As we go through the various transitions, may it be tough or easy, heart lifting or heart breaking, we need to be reminded of the above four lessons.
If it is time for us to cross over, He will bring us over. But if we are to wait, we need to wait in Him, in His presence.
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