The Jordan River Rules: Week 5

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 5: Expect God to Guide You Where You’ve Never Been Before

“and commanded the people, 'As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.'” Joshua 3:3-4

Sometimes, we have to navigate the uncharted waters of life, but it's important to remember that we never have to do this alone! God has a plan for us just as He did for the Israelites. Today, let's see what lessons we can learn from the Israelite explorers and their journey across the Jordan River.
 
The Earth, a colossal sphere weighing 6.6 sextillion tons, spins through the cosmos at nearly 25,000 miles in circumference. Yet, until the Golden Age of Exploration in the 1800s, much of its vast expanse remained uncharted. In "The Explorers," Martin Dugard invites us to glean wisdom from the intrepid adventurers of the nineteenth century, emphasizing the explorer within each of us—a silent yearning to conquer personal Everests.

Journeying Into the Unknown: The biblical narrative echoes the theme of exploration, urging us to move forward into the unexplored future. The journey into the unknown is likened to traversing dark continents, blazing deserts, and hostile jungles. Yet, the future, though uncertain to us, is known to God. As Hebrews 11:8 recounts, Abraham obeyed and set out for a place he would inherit, even though he did not know where he was going.
 
The Ark of the Covenant—Guiding the Way: In Joshua 3, the Israelites, transformed from wanderers to explorers, follow the mysterious Ark of the Covenant. The Ark, a chest overlaid with gold and containing significant items like the rod of Aaron, the tablets of the Ten Commandments, and heavenly manna, symbolizes God's presence among them. Joshua instructs the people to follow at a distance, emphasizing the balance between God's comforting presence and His awesome glory.
 
Three Quarters Ahead—The Assurance of God's Presence: The Ark leads three quarters of a mile ahead, symbolizing that the Lord is already in the future, preparing the way. The Israelites, breaking camp and venturing to the Jordan River, faced an impassable flood stage. In the same vein, we embark on journeys where we've never been before, trusting that God has a plan for the unknown terrain ahead.
 
The Soldier's Compass—NSEW of Decision-Making: Guidance in life is likened to a soldier's compass with God's sovereignty at the center. The circumference is marked by wholehearted willingness to follow, as expressed by the Israelites in Joshua 1:16. The face of the compass has four points—Nearness, Scripture, Events, and Weighing options—forming a strategic system for decision-making.

• Nearness: Staying close to the Shepherd ensures guidance. Psalm 73:23-24 emphasizes God's constant presence and guidance with His counsel.
  
  
• Scripture: Spending time in Scripture imparts divine wisdom, shedding light on our paths and enlightening our thinking.
  
  
• Events: God's guidance often aligns with circumstances. Like the year Robert Morgan recounts spent near family in unexpected circumstances, events shape our journeys.
  
  
• Weighing the options: Proverbs 16:9 encourages using our hearts and minds to plan wisely. God expects us to engage in decision-making as He guides and determines our steps.

 
Faith Over Fear—Onward to Where God is Working: The compass's final directive, faith, encourages a trust in God's sovereign plan. Psalm 37:23 assures that a person's steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in the way. A deep conviction of God's sovereignty, coupled with wholehearted willingness, allows us to navigate life's uncharted territories.
 
The Roar of Lions—A Pilgrimage of Faith: Even in the face of perceived threats, reminiscent of lions in "The Pilgrim's Progress," we are encouraged not to be afraid. Stay in the middle of the path, for the lions are chained. The roaring may be loud, but as we trust in God's guidance, we can clap our hands with joy and continue onward.
 
Navigating Tomorrow's Shadows and Sunshine: As we navigate the uncharted twists and turns of life, let's embrace the role of explorers. The lessons from the Israelites, the compass of decision-making, and the Pilgrim's Progress narrative beckon us to move forward with faith. The unexplored future, with its shadows and sunshine, is known to God. We are called to journey onward, confident that deep in unfathomable mines of never-failing skill, God treasures up His bright designs and works His sovereign will.

“We need to move onward into the unexplored future, which can be as daunting as dark continents, blazing deserts, and hostile jungles. But the future is not uncertain to God. He knows tomorrow as well as yesterday, and He delights in leading us where we’ve never gone before... Your Lord is already in your future, clearing the way, arranging the circumstances in advance, and preparing the work you’ll do, the burdens you’ll bear, and the blessings you’ll enjoy.... You don’t know what the future holds—not even tomorrow. You are heading where you’ve never been before. But Jesus goes before you with His power, His precepts, and His provisions—all you need to make the most of tomorrow’s sunshine or shadows.... Unbelief says, 'Let’s go back to where it’s safe,' but faith says, 'Let’s go forward to where God is working.' (—Warren W. Wiersbe).... The Lord says, 'I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel. Do not be like a horse or mule' (Psalm 32:8-9). We have to say, as the Israelites did in Joshua 1:16, 'Everything You have commanded us we will do, and everywhere You send us we will go.' ...Proverbs 16:9 says, 'A person’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.' 'Make Your ways known to me, Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for…I wait for You all day long' (Psalm 25:4-5). God is ready to lead you where you’ve never been before.” —Robert Morgan

My favorite quote here is: "Yet, the future, though uncertain to us, is known to God." ​Never forget that, friend! How can the lessons from the Israelites' journey across the Jordan River help you navigate your own uncharted waters with faith and confidence?

Read The Jordan River Rules: Week 6 here.

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