January 19

Jan 19, 2023

Joshua 3:6–8

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.

7 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.

Biblical Insight

The Ark served as a visible representation of God’s presence in the midst of the Israelites. By the Ark going first, God demonstrated His precedence, clearing the way and making provision for His people. Part of God’s purpose in this miracle was to evoke memories of the Red Sea miracle in the minds of the people to solidify Joshua’s position as the new Moses. God’s same supernatural power that directed Moses to part the Red Sea caused this miracle; the people could easily see the correlation and the same God working both wonders.

Daily Devotion

If you’ve ever taught, volunteered, or been a guest in an elementary school, you know that line leaders are a big deal. Being able to go in front of your classmates and lead them onward is basically the same thing as winning a million dollars in a kid’s world. It is not a responsibility to be taken lightly.

God was the providential “line leader” in the aforementioned passage. He went ahead to prepare the way, as He always does. Historically, we understand that He always leads His people, whether it is beside still waters or right to the face of raging seas that seem to block the intended route.

Friend, perhaps sometimes you feel the nights get so dark you cannot see in front of you, but keep walking. Keep trusting. Keep pushing forward with the knowledge that the wonder-working God of the universe is not only walking beside you, but He has already cleared the way before of you. Today take a moment to bring your obstacle to God and leave it with Him in faith.