What does "you have not traveled this way before" teach about faith? Setting the Scene: Joshua 3 • Israel has camped beside the Jordan, looking across at the Promised Land. • The priests will carry the Ark of the Covenant ahead of everyone. • Joshua 3:4 records the LORD’s command: “But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between yourselves and the ark; do not go near it, so that you can see the way to go, for you have not traveled this way before.” The Phrase in Focus “You have not traveled this way before.” • God acknowledges their inexperience: they have never faced a flooded Jordan or entered Canaan. • The statement both warns and invites: dependence on Him is essential for uncharted territory. Faith Principle #1: God Leads Into Uncharted Territory • Faith is required precisely because the road is new. • Hebrews 11:8 shows Abraham obeying “not knowing where he was going.” • Modern application: transitions, decisions, or challenges that stretch beyond familiarity are often God-appointed classrooms for faith. Faith Principle #2: Keep Your Eyes on the Presence of God • The Ark—symbolizing God’s presence—goes first. • 2 Corinthians 5:7: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” • When the route is unknown, focusing on Him, not the obstacles, gives direction. Faith Principle #3: Distance Shows Reverence, Trust, and Clarity • Two thousand cubits (about half a mile) ensured every Israelite could see the Ark. • Healthy reverence guards against treating God casually while fostering trust in His leadership. • Proverbs 3:5-6 emphasizes leaning on Him, not on our own understanding. Faith Principle #4: Obedience Precedes Understanding • Israel steps into the river only after the command; the waters part afterward (Joshua 3:13-17). • Isaiah 42:16: “I will lead the blind by a way they did not know.” • Faith acts on God’s word before the path is visible. Faith Principle #5: God’s Past Faithfulness Fuels Future Courage • Israel remembers the Red Sea. • Psalm 37:5: “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.” • Recalling previous deliverances strengthens resolve when the next step is unfamiliar. Living It Out Today • Identify areas where “you have not traveled this way before”—a new job, parenting stage, ministry role, health battle. • Place God’s presence “out in front” through regular Scripture reading, prayer, and worship. • Maintain a reverent distance: let God lead instead of running ahead with self-made plans. • Step forward in obedience to the last clear instruction from His Word, even if details remain hidden. • Keep a written record of God’s past interventions; review it whenever the unknown feels intimidating. • Rest in the unchanging character of Christ: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). “You have not traveled this way before” turns uncertainty into invitation—an invitation to trust the One who already knows the road and promises to walk it with His people. |
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