This day was a big day.  For over 40 years the children of Israel had wandered around the desert eating manna and waiting for the opportunity to enter the promised land.   They had seen most of the older generation die.  Joshua and Caleb were about the only ones left.  As children they remembered crossing out of Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea.  They had heard the confrontation between Moses and their parents.  They had seen the glow on Moses face when he came down from the mountain.   They had seen water come out of the rock.  They had fought and won the battle of Jericho.

           And now they were ready to enter the land.   We pick up the story in Joshua 3:1-5:

1 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 priests, who are Levites, 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 a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it.” 5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” (Joshua 3:1-5).

           Here they are on the banks of a second river, the Jordon river.  I am sure a sense of anticipation flowed through the camp.  Some might have been a little worried because they didn’t know exactly what would happen once they go over on the other side of the river.  For three days they had travelled from Shittam to the edge of the Jordon.  The night before they cross over, several things happen.

           As we look at this passage, we find find three lessons that will help any of us deal with change.  For change is what we are looking at in each life.

           First, follow God. 

           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 priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.

           Notice the two parts of this.  First, the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God. Easton, in his commentary gives this summary of the ark. “ The sacred ark is designated by a different Hebrew word, which is the common name for a chest or coffer used for any purpose.  It is distinguished from all others by such titles as the "ark of God","ark of the covenant", "ark of the testimony".  It was made of acacia or shittim wood, a cubit and a half broad and high and two cubits long, and covered all over with the purest gold. Its upper surface or lid, the mercy-seat, was surrounded with a rim of gold; and on each of the two sides were two gold rings, in which were placed two gold-covered poles by which the ark could be carried.  Over the ark, at the two extremities, were two cherubim, with their faces turned toward each other.  Their outspread wings over the top of the ark formed the throne of God, while the ark itself was his footstool.  The ark was deposited in the "holy of holies," and was so placed that one end of the poles by which it was carried touched the veil which separated the two apartments of the tabernacle.  The two tables of stone which constituted the "testimony" or evidence of God's covenant with the people,  the "pot of manna",  and "Aaron's rod that budded" were laid up in the ark. “

           The ark was the place where the High Priest made atonement for sin for the nation.  This was symbolic of the meeting place between God and man. 

           Following the ark is the same as following God.  Where the ark went, God was before them.   God moves and then we move.

           I want to encourage you to look at the wide array of choices before you.  You can go where you want, live where you want to live, work or further your education anywhere in the world.  You have tremendous opportunities before you. 

           I ask you some important questions.  Do you want to do the will of God?  Have you prayed about your choices?  Have you considered the spiritual impact your decision will make? 

           I encourage you to understand that when God moves, we come alongside and follow.

           Second, notice that we not only follow the ark, but the priest and Levites.  The ark was followed by the religious leaders.  That is the proper order.  Leaders are followers of God.  But notice that the people were to follow spiritual men of God.

           I encourage you to make it a priority to find spiritual people where ever you go.  If you are going to High School, be faithful in sunday school and in youth group and in church.  Make that your choice, your decision, your desire.  Don’t give our parents a hard time and, if they don’t seem interested, encourage them to do what is right.

           If you are going to college, seek out Campus Crusade,  Inter-varisty, Nagivators or some other ministry and get involved.  Find a local church that preaches the gospel.  Keep following God by associating with people who are following God.

           One benefit is given in verse 4. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.  So many fall by the wayside because they believe those who say, “Do your own thing, seek your own way, be your own person.”  These people are leading you astray.  The Bible says, “Follow God.  Seek His ways.”   Don’t ignore the encouragement of the church.  God loves the church, in  spite of its blemishes.  We are to love and receive help from one another.

           Second, maintain proper distance.

           4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it.”

           Why not?  One man did.  The ark was going along, it started to fall.  He reached out to touch it and was instantly killed.  People have wondered all along at why God would kill someone who was trying to stop the ark from falling. In the book the Holiness of God, R.C. Sproul gives some good answers.  But what I want us to observe is this:  God is to be treated with respect. 

           You will find that there are many who do not respect God.  Do not become one of them.  It is possible to be caught up with scoffers who mock God.  Peer pressure can cause you to disrespect God.  The undying amount of criticism of religion can wear anyone down.

           Be like Daniel, who, when faced with public pressure not to pray to Jehovah God, opened his windows and prayed as he always did.  He found that the lions den was real, but God was with him  and blessed him.

           Third,  consecrate yourselves to God.

           5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” (Joshua 3:1-5).

           We sing the song, “Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to thee...”  What does this word mean?

           The word “consecrate” has the idea of setting ourselves apart, of seeing ourselves as holy, of purifying ourselves so we can approach God.

           I am not sure what these people did, but I guess that they may have washed dirt off their body.  They may have spent time in prayer.

           I will tell you that true consecration is a heart issue, not an outward issue.  However, the outward will be in tune with the inward.  As people say.  “We will walk the talk, not just talk the walk.”

           So I charge you to day, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”  For the nation of Israel, the amazing thing  God did was to part the Jordon river to allow Israel to cross over.

           We have no idea what God can do through one of you who consecrate, dedicate and commit yourselves to God.  You might be instrumental in starting a revival on your high school or college campus.   This has happened in the past.  Its often students that lead some of the great social revolutions in our world.

           But some of you may be the David Livingstones who go into difficult areas with the gospel as David did in Africa.  Or you may be the Amy Charmichael who went to India and did a tremendous work for God in opening an orphanage.  The church of Jesus Christ needs Christians who love Jesus in medicine, law, government and education.  We need Christians who drive trucks, work as electricians, plumbers, build houses, clean septic systems, clean homes, we need everyone.  We need homebuilders who care for children and families that model Christian values.

           If you purify yourselves, dedicate yourselves to God, God will do great things through you.

           You are at the Jordon rivers of your life.  Let God lead you, respect God and consecrate yourselves to Him.  God will do great things through you.