The Jordan River Rules: Week 3

We are thrilled to have you join us! Every Tuesday morning at 9:00, now until August 6, we'll gather for a Summer Book Club-Style Bible Study. As a community of like-minded followers of Jesus Christ, we'll share our journeys, support each other, and find encouragement together.

Our focus will be on studying 10 God-given strategies for moving forward, as outlined in "The Jordan River Rules." Each week, we’ll explore one rule and discuss it in the comment section. If you haven't yet grabbed the book, you can get your copy here.

Can't make it on Tuesday mornings at 9:00? No problem! You can participate anytime during the week at your convenience. Simply read the week’s chapter and the corresponding blog post, then join the discussion in the comments. Don’t forget to invite a friend to join us! We look forward to growing together in faith!

​WEEK 3: Step Up to the Moment

“Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’” Joshua 1:11

The journey of life is a series of stages, and it's crucial not to falter as we approach the completion of one phase and step into the next. In the book of Joshua, the Children of Israel, after forty years of wandering, were on the verge of crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land. Sensing the significance of this moment, Joshua urged them to prepare, stating, "Get provisions ready for yourselves, for within three days you will be crossing the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you to inherit" (Joshua 1:11).

Navigating Life's Journey: Life's journey often mirrors a road trip, and just as in driving, it's easy to lose focus, take detours, or lift our foot from the gas pedal. Joshua's call to readiness before crossing the Jordan resonates with the need for vigilance and preparedness in our own life journeys. Messing up close to our goals is a common human experience, and the three days become a poignant metaphor for spiritual preparation.
 
Three Days of Reflection: A fascinating pattern emerges in the Bible—significant events often involve a period of three days of rest, reflection, and preparation. Joseph's brothers spent three days in jail in Egypt, David's coronation was celebrated for three days, and Ezra's journey from the Ahava River to Jerusalem included three days of preparation. This pattern repeats in various narratives, emphasizing the importance of intentional pauses before pivotal moments.
 
Three Days of Spiritual Preparation: Before making major decisions or embarking on significant tasks, the Bible reveals the value of taking "three days" for spiritual preparation. Whether it's prayer, fasting, or simply resting in God's presence, these moments of reflection provide clarity, poise, and purpose. Rushing into decisions can lead to rash actions, but intentional reflection fosters a deep connection with God's guidance.

Saying "Everything… Everywhere Anywhere" to Jesus: As Joshua addressed the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, their commitment resonates with a timeless truth. The declaration, "Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go," is a sentiment echoed in the name Yeshua—the Hebrew name for Joshua and Jesus. Surrendering to Jesus and committing to follow His commands and leadings is paramount as we prepare for the next stages of life.
 
Submission to God's Perfect Will: "What glorious good news! No matter what may or may not have occurred in the past and no matter how inadequate my understanding, if my relationship to God is one of unconditional surrender and confident expectation that He will keep His word, I can experience a life of consistent victory over temptation and growth toward His own likeness, I can see His purpose for my ministry supernaturally fulfilled, and above all, I can daily experience loving companionship with my Savior.” —Dr. Robertson McQuilkin

McQuilkin's words underscore the essence of an empowered future—unconditional surrender and confident expectation in God's perfect will. The journey forward is not about autonomous ambition but submission to God's guidance. Hudson Taylor's wisdom further emphasizes the need to give up everything into God's hands, paving the way for a life of consistent victory, growth, and companionship with the Savior.

“Let us give up our work, our thoughts, our plans, ourselves, our lives, our loved ones, our influence, our all, right into His hand, and then, when we have given all over to Him, there will be nothing left for us to be troubled about, or to make trouble about.” --Hudson Taylor
 
Delighting in the Lord: "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4). This verse takes on a fresh perspective as we understand that delighting in the Lord precedes the fulfillment of our heart's desires. When God has all of us, He places within us the desires that align with His purpose, bringing true joy. Stepping up to the moment and seizing the future is an outcome of making the Lord our heart's delight.

In conclusion, the three days before significant moments in biblical narratives serve as a profound reminder for us. As we stand on the brink of new chapters, let's embrace spiritual preparation—praying, pondering, worshiping, and resting. Seizing the future requires intentional steps, and in the words of Mary Slessor, the pioneer missionary to Nigeria, it's about moving forward with an unwavering commitment: "Everything… Everywhere Anywhere, provided it be forward!"

“We need some time to linger in God’s presence and to get ready for what He has for us. We’ve come too far to mess up now…. Take a deep breath, be still, remember He is God, seek first His Kingdom, and get ready to step up to the moment.” —Robert Morgan

“Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go.” Josh. 1:16

“In preparing for the next stages of life, it’s vital to say to Jesus, ‘Everything You have commanded me I will do, and everywhere You send me I will go.’ ...If we make the Lord our heart’s delight, He will place within us the desires we most need in our hearts and which will bring us greatest joy. Everything changes when God has all there is of us to have. As one of my professors put it, “All there is of God is available to the person who is available to all there is of God.” —Robert Morgan

What are some practical ways we can incorporate spiritual preparation into our lives before making significant decisions or embarking on new chapters of life?

Read The Jordan River Rules: Week 4 here.

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