How to Arrive at our Destination Without a Map

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: Joshua 3:3In Joshua 3, the children of Israel were approaching the Promised Land of opportunity and mystery. To get there, they faced a raging river of difficulty. However, they had with them the Ark of the Covenant, a reminder of God’s presence with His people.“And Joshua said to the people, ‘Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you’” (Joshua 3:5).Joshua instructed his people to keep their eyes on the ark, to move only when it moves, to follow its lead. This instruction reveals lessons about how to arrive at our destination without a map.When we keep our eyes on Jesus, He will guide us with His presence.We don’t have to know the future to walk victoriously, so long as God’s presence leads us. We must be sure not to run out in front of God’s plans; timing is more important than time. We don’t have to know when, where, or why; when the ark moves, we move.Second, as we keep our eyes on Jesus, He will gladden us with His promises.Jesus is our Ark of the Covenant; He is proof that God keeps His promises to us. Those promises are good for all saints, all seasons, and all situations. His Word is settled in Heaven, unfading, even today.Finally, when He guides us, Jesus will also guard us with His power.The children of Israel passed through the Jordan River on dry ground because they were guarded by the God of power. If we believe in God’s unfailing ability as the Israelites did, there’s no telling what blessings we’ll experience.Adrian Rogers says, “If God commands you to cross Jordan, He will command Jordan to get out of the way.”The Israelites’ crossing the Jordan River is a picture of the Gospel, in which Jesus went into the river of death and stopped it from flowing so that we may pass through.As the Lord God, He is sovereign; as the living God, He is alive in us. And as liberating God, He is making a way for us to pass through into the Promised Land.Apply it to your lifeAre you facing a new season of life or uncharted territory? Don’t get ahead of your Guide; follow God through the great unknown today.