In our Google-oriented culture, it is almost impossible not to find information about something you are curious about, regardless of the topic. However, the truth is that no matter the subject matter, information can only take us so far. The outcome is in the Lord’s hands, and we still need His guidance.
Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. 2 After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 3 giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.” Joshua 3:1-4
The Israelites were about to make the trip of their lifetime and the officers gave them some instructions to prepare them for the journey.
1. The priests will go first
The priests will lead the charge. This is an important concept on the journey of faith. God makes those who lead responsible for the timing and the leading of the change. For families, the change of direction will be led by the head of the household hearing the Lord and staying in step with the Lord.
2. The priests were going to carry the ark
The priests were not working independently from God but in dependence and cooperation with Him. Good leadership stays close to the Lord ,and they never take their leadership position for granted for they know where it is coming from.
There are times when women claim that because their husbands are not acting as the spiritual leaders of the household, they should take over making the big decisions. If the husband is a believer, he has the capacity to be led by the Lord. He may not feel the urgency that his wife feels, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t care or that the Lord is not guiding him. The more he is given room to seek God and the opportunity to wait for His guidance, the more likely he is to take his rightful place and lead the household alongside his wife.
3. They had never been this way before
The people had to stay in step with the Lord. They had never been gone this way before. They were completely dependent on the Lord.
In every new season, we are completely dependent on the Lord. Things will be different and we should let God show us what He is doing. We may gather all the information we need, but at the end of the day the Lord determines our steps and the outcome.
In the case of Israelites, God had instructed the priests to step into Jordan carrying the Ark. He was giving them a different strategy than before. If we are going to be led by the Lord, we need to refrain from trying to do what we have done in the past. Instead, we should wait on the Lord to find out how He wants things done this time.
4. They were to keep a distance from the ark
While God was near them and among them, they were supposed to revere the Lord and see Him holy.
Are you in a season that you have never been before? Do you rely on the Lord or are you trying to repeat what you have done before?