Look Ahead

Joshua 3:1–6 CSB

1 Joshua started early the next morning and left the Acacia Grove with all the Israelites. They went as far as the Jordan and stayed there before crossing. 2 After three days the officers went through the camp 3 and commanded the people, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God carried by the Levitical priests, you are to break camp and follow it. 4 But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between yourselves and the ark. Don’t go near it, so that you can see the way to go, for you haven’t traveled this way before.” 5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, because the Lord will do wonders among you tomorrow.” 6 Then he said to the priests, “Carry the ark of the covenant and go on ahead of the people.” So they carried the ark of the covenant and went ahead of them.

1. You are called to go beyond your Jordan

Your wilderness experience was not meant to be permanent

Don’t let the river in front of your wilderness discourage you

You can cross the river

You must pay attention and follow the directions of the Lord

The Jordan in front of you is not a wall

As the Lord was with Moses, He will be with you

2. Be sensitive to the movement of the Lord

In this world you will have trouble, but don’t let the trouble you face trouble you

If God is with you, He is more than the world against you

When you face times of crisis, or when you need direction in life, be sensitive to the movement of the Lord

Gal 5:25 “25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

If you are sensitive to what the Spirit is doing you will learn the lessons you must and you will cross your Jordan to enter your Promise Land

3. You must leave your place and follow Him

You must pay attention

You must look ahead

When you see the Presence of God move, get out of your comfort zone and follow Him

The comfort zone makes you afraid of moving forward

Comfort zone keeps you from growing

Comfort zone keeps you in the familiar

The comfort zone will ruin and destroy your life

Remember the mission statement of the enemy: Kill, steal, and destroy

Choose to get uncomfortable

Choose to be comfortable with discomfort

Discomfort leads to growth

Discomfort keeps you alert

Discomfort reminds you that you are alive

Let discomfort remind you to thrive instead of just surviving

Live by the Spirit don’t just exist

4. Look ahead so that you know where to go

Be looking ahead for God’s work

If you are not looking you will miss the move of God

If you are not looking you will continue on your own path

If you are not looking you will choose the path of least resistance

Don’t let the betrayal derail you, God is using it to lead you

Don’t let the heartbreak break you, God is using it to build you

Don’t let disappointment make you settle, God is at work

Don’t let delays destroy you, God is building you

He already prepared a place for you

Look ahead so that you know where to go