You’ve never been this way before

“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 3v4

We all have many times in our lives when we face the unknown. Going off to college, marriage, moving house, job changes, new ministries and many other times we are in situation similar to Israel on the Jordan River.

God did not want Israel to rush pell-mell across the Jordan to conquer the land. He wanted them to follow His leadership. He wanted the ark ready to go, but the people we stay about a kilometre back to watch how God would lead. The reason for this observance? “You have not passed this way before.” They did not know what was going to happen or what kind of situations were going to face. God told them to step back and watch to see how to follow.

God also told them to sanctify themselves before the task. A “setting apart” was required before the task was begun. This was going to be a long arduous task which could only be accomplished as they set themselves apart and followed Him.

The next time you face a situation when you have “not passed this way before” remember to sit back and see how the Lord will lead as you sanctify yourself to Him.