What steps can we take to prepare for God's guidance like Joshua? Recognizing Joshua’s Dawn Moment “Early the next morning Joshua got up and left Shittim with all the Israelites…” (Joshua 3:1). They then traveled to the Jordan and camped before crossing. In one sentence we see four quiet, deliberate moves that positioned God’s people for direction. Four Readiness Moves We Can Imitate • Rise early with expectancy – The break of day signals priority. Psalm 5:3 notes, “In the morning, LORD, You hear my voice.” – Jesus modeled the same rhythm (Mark 1:35). • Step away from the familiar – Leaving Shittim meant leaving a place of past victories and failures. Forward guidance usually begins with a decisive break from yesterday (Philippians 3:13–14). • Gather everyone—nobody left behind – “with all the Israelites” underscores unity. Guidance is clearer when families, churches, or teams move together (Acts 1:14). • Pause near the point of obedience – They “camped” by the river. Waiting sharpens hearing (Psalm 27:14), calms fear, and keeps the next step in view. Supporting Patterns in Scripture • Consecration comes before direction (Joshua 3:5; Romans 12:1). • Keep the Ark—God’s Word and presence—central (Joshua 3:3; Colossians 3:16). • Trust over sight: the swollen Jordan looked impossible, yet the command was clear (Proverbs 3:5–6). • Move when He moves: once the priests’ feet touched water, it parted (Joshua 3:15–17; John 10:27). Living It Out This Week • Set an earlier alarm and begin the day in the Word. • Identify one “Shittim” comfort you need to leave behind. • Invite household or friends to align schedules for shared Scripture and worship. • Schedule brief “Jordan pauses”—moments of silence where you simply wait and listen. • Act on the first clear instruction God already gave; guidance multiplies with obedience. |
    |