How can we "cross over" into new spiritual territories in our lives? Crossing Over: The Scriptural Picture “ The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had crossed over on dry ground.” (Joshua 3:17) Key Insights from Joshua 3:17 • God Himself initiates the crossing; His presence (the ark) enters the river first. • The obstacle turns into a pathway the moment His feet touch the water. • Every Israelite steps onto ground God has already secured. • The priests remain stationed until the last person is safely across. Preparations for New Spiritual Territory • Separation from the old: “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” (Joshua 3:5) • Clear focus: keep the ark in view “so that you will know the way, since you have never been this way before.” (Joshua 3:4) • Expectation of the miraculous: “When you see the ark… you are to move out from your positions and follow it.” (Joshua 3:3) Practical Steps for Today 1. Fix your attention on God’s presence – Regular, unhurried time in His Word (Psalm 119:105). – Sensitivity to His Spirit’s leading (Romans 8:14). 2. Consecrate personal life rhythms – Remove known sin (1 John 1:9). – Set apart specific times for fasting or focused devotion (Joel 2:12–13). 3. Obey the first instruction before seeking the next – Israel stepped into a still-flowing river; the waters parted only after obedience (Joshua 3:13). – “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22) 4. Walk all the way through – Persist until every area of life is submitted; partial obedience leaves you mid-river. – “Let us run with endurance the race set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1) 5. Establish memorials of God’s faithfulness – Twelve stones from the Jordan became a permanent reminder (Joshua 4:7). – Keep journals, testimonies, or shared stories that declare His works (Psalm 78:4). New Testament Echoes • Passage from death to life: “Whoever hears My word… has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24) • Life in Christ as new territory: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) • Faith that advances: “Let us go across to the other side.” (Mark 4:35) Living on the Other Side • Embrace the responsibilities that come with new ground—cultivate it and guard it (Genesis 2:15 principle). • Stay contingent on God; the same presence that opened the river guides settlement (Joshua 5:13–15). • Keep moving forward, trusting the One who “always leads us in triumph in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2:14) |
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