Good morning,
Welcome to 2024. A new year and possibly a new start. This would be a good time to reflect on what God has done during the past year. When we think about God’s all knowing, ever-present, all-powerful character, we have a place to begin our planning for this year. Then we need to ask ourselves, “What can we do to grow closer to God this year?” How can we glorify God more this year? What is our plan to get these things done? What goals have we set for this year?
Joshua is preparing to go into the promised land. God spoke to Joshua. Joshua listened to God’s plan. He made preparations to go. Then executed the plan.
We will study parts of Joshua 1-3 and see how Joshua accomplished this task.
This should be what we do this year.
Preparing for 2024
Joshua 1-3
Joshua commands the people to “…Prepare…” (1:10-11)
Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,11 Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it.
Joshua sends two men to spy out the land (2:1, 23-24)
And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.
So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them:24 And they said unto Joshua, Truly the Lord hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.
Officers prepare people for passing over Jordan (3:2-4)
And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host;3 And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.
Joshua commands the people to “…Sanctify yourselves…” (3:5)
And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.
Joshua speaks to the priests (3:6)
And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.
The Lord speaks to Joshua (3:7-8)
And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee. 8 And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.
The next step is preparation. Joshua commands his officers to prepare the people. Joshua has two of his men reconnoiter the area. He prepares the priests. He has the people sanctify themselves. The plan is set for execution.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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