Crossing the Jordan: (PT 1)

Trusting God's Timing

Bible Passage: Joshua 3:1–3

Summary: The passage illustrates the moment before the Israelites cross the Jordan River, highlighting their obedience and the divine timing of God. This moment serves as a profound reminder that God calls His people to trust His timing and to be ready to follow His lead, even when the circumstances appear daunting and uncertain.

How this passage could point to Christ: In this context, Jesus is the embodiment of perfect timing and fulfillment of God's promises. Just as the Israelites were to trust in Joshua's leadership, we are encouraged to trust in Christ as our leader, who guides us through life's challenges and into the promises of God.

Big Idea: Faithful waiting on God's timing leads to divine opportunities and breakthroughs.

Intro: God’s timing and Waiting

God is in Control- this is not random unfolding within divine boundaries

Ecclesiastes 3:1–11 “1 There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven— 2 A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. 3 A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. 4 A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. 5 A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. 6 A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. 7 A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak. 8 A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace. 9 What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils? 10 I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves. 11 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.”

1. God’s timing is purposeful

What is that purpose?

His glory-

Our Salvation

Psalm 31:15 “15 My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me.”

Time encompasses both cyclical and linear patterns, and crucially, it is neither chaotic nor meaningless—God has infused time with redemptive purpose.

He knows what is best for you and me.

2. God’s Timing is divinely orchestrated

Rise and Fall of Nations

Individual Lives

He is Lord of Past, Present, Future

Daniel 2:21 “21 “It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding.”

3. The Human Response: Wait on His Timing

What is the response of humanity- Wait on His timing

Do not envy the wicked

Psalm 37:7–9 “7 Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. 8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing. 9 For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land.”

This is the direct opposite of waiting- that if we do not wait we find our self’s scheming that we can mask as good, but at the heart they are of the wicked as we seek to be in control

As this was a promise in the OT is there a promise that awaits us today?

4. The Promise for Today

What does God conquer today? What is the battle?

trials and temptations of this life- what is the promise land- Rest

Rest in God, from guilt, anxiety, and shame

Matthew 11:28–29 “28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

It is a continual waiting

The promise of the land for us today is both a spiritual transformation now- and the ultimate fulfillment that awaits those who receive the salvation of Christ

Philippians 3:20 “20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;”

Pause- if you find yourself on the other end of waiting on God’s timing

God does not hold grudges

2 Peter 3:9 “9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

Confess- own up to it

1 John 1:9 “9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Now when we look at todays scripture we can learn from Joshua and the Children of Israel how we wait actively in faith trusting in God’s timing

Main Message: Joshua example of waiting actively in faith

1. Prepare Proactively for God's Plan

Joshua 3:1-3

Preparation is a step of faith.

Sanctification is not mystical passivity, as our use of the slogan ‘let go and let God’ has too often implied, but it is active moral effort energized by prayerful and expectant faith.

J. I. Packer

Psalm 5:3 “3 In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.”

The placed themselves strategically-

in appropriate time - motley crew of men, women and children, all their belongings and cattle.

Not everyone moves at the same pace, but there is adequate time given

Psalm 143:8 “8 Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul.”

They communicated the plan

The Ark's Significance

Carried with poles, they would not touch it- purity and physical care, symbolized God’s presence

Following God's Lead

God’s presence will lead them-

Priests- not normally carrying the ark- but this is a extraordinary significance

The ark- was usually placed at the center of the camp- when at rest. or in a precession at the center

They were instructed to stay behind the ark ad follow it, keeping it visible.

As the Lord leads follow

When you hear news that is of the Lord act swiftly in preparation.

Our Preparation Today

Prayer- Collectively, Individually

Discipleship

John 13:34–35 “34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.””

Devotion

Invitation

All not out of guilt but of desire, it is here where we find the mercies and blessing of God are found

Dangers of Losing Focus

What happens when we loose

Spiritual Hardening can take place

Keep the focus on us, not on Him

Hebrews 3:13 “13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

It is in preparation that we find more and more of the mercies of God

It is also what we will be tempted to let loose in our pursuit of temporal matters.

Preparation is it a intellectual or dealing with our hearts

This is not righteousness we are looking to but getting beyond the surface

(Olympics)

Preparing before we fully understand there are some things we do understand

As a believer we operate on His promises.

This is what Joshua is doing- God had given them the land and the people inhabiting the land were already defeated.

Summary:

The preparation of Joshua, was an act of faith- the preparation of the people was a response to faith in the leader and that God had given him wisdom on what to do.

I want to share about what has been a wrestling in my prayer an active life since we came here:

We are preparing and I am asking you as well as we are learning from Joshua-

(Next week PT 2) Joshua 3:4-6