Joshua No 3

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Read Isaiah 43.1-2

Sing the song Do not be afraid for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name; you are mine. [MP 115]. Thank God for helping you and for being by your side.

In chapters 3 and 4 the children of Israel were told to do three things.

1. Follow the Ark
2. Stand in the river
3. Pick up the stones

1. Ten times in chapter 3 there is a reference to the Ark. What did the ark signify? Each person had to have a clear view of the Ark. How can we keep our eyes on Jesus as we follow him day by day? What sort of things will help us?

2. Crossing the river Jordan has been used as an analogy of crossing from death to life or of crossing into God's rest which he has for us here on earth. The priests, the spiritual leaders, had to stand in the middle with the waters piled up behind them until everybody had crossed before they went over. What does this tell us about leadership? It was hard for them to be there. Do we sometimes avoid hardship and can this result in the people of God missing out on God's blessing?

Faith comforts the disturbed and disturbs the comfortable. Discuss.

3. The stones were a permanent reminder of what God had done. Why did God tell them to set up the twelve stones and what did he want to remind them of? The stones also signified that they were all in this venture together. Why is it important we are all united if our church is to be strong?

Pray that God will reveal to you any areas of your life that are preventing you from following Jesus closely. Pray for faith to take on the challenges ahead and for guidance in your daily life so that others will see God at work.