Oak Chapel United Methodist Church

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Moses was dead.  Jehovah had directed him to lead the Hebrew nation out of captivity in Egypt and back to the "promised land" of Canaan.  For 40 years, they had wandered in the wilderness, grumbling about their plight, but spurred on by the hope of one day arriving in a land that they had been told was flowing with "milk and honey."  Now, at the age of 120, their leader had died. Talk about a wilderness experience!!

Joshua Emerges as God's Witness

But, God never leaves himself without a witness, and during all those years of wandering, Moses had a personal attendant...a soldier called Joshua, whose name means "God saves."  Shortly before Moses died, he chose Joshua, who was then about 85 years old, to assume leadership of the Israelites.  The Bible says (Deuteronomy. 34:9), "and Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands upon him, so the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses."

And the Bible says (Joshua 1:1-9) that the Lord gave instructions to Joshua, telling him never to be frightened or dismayed, because the Lord would be with him at all times.  And so, as the thrilling story unfolds, the Israelites find themselves on the bank of the Jordan river, some two million people, plus all their cattle and personal belongings.  Joshua tells them that all they have to do is cross the Jordan, drive out the inhabitants of the land, and build a new life in Canaan, the promised land. For god's chosen people, it would be a new day.

The People Question Joshua

"On Jordan's stormy banks I stand, and cast a wishful eye to Canaan's fair and happy land, where my possessions lie.  I am bound for the promised land, I am bound for the promised land; oh, who will come and go with me?  I am bound for the promised land." (United Methodist hymnal:  #274, v.1.)  Sure, Joshua ...but how do we get across?  It's springtime, the river's at flood stage, and we'll all be drowned!

Joshua Trusts in God

The River Jordan begins on Mount Hermon, some 9,200 feet above sea level.  Descending through the mountains it gains momentum, widens to form the sea of galilee, and narrows again on its way south.  In the spring, when the Israelites were to cross the river, it is a tremendous force, overflowing its banks and flooding the land.  That's the impossible scene that faced the Israelites.  But Joshua had God's word that he would do as he had promised.  That was enough for him...and from the Old Testament account, we know what happened.  Joshua trusted god.  The priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant trusted Joshua, and at God's appointed time, the raging water was piled up, and the entire nation of israel passed over the river bed into the land that had been promised them so many centuries before.  Bible scholars tell us that the river was parted for 24 hours, all the way back to the City of Adam, about 16 miles.  When all had crossed safely into Canaan, "the waters of the Jordan returned to their places and overflowed all its banks, as before."  (Joshua 4:18).  It's very important to recall that as long as the priests stood on the river bank, nothing happened.

The Priests Act in Faith

But, the Bible says that as soon as their feet entered the river, "the waters flowing from above stood still..." (Joshua 3:16a). The priests believed God's promise. They took the step of faith, and god honored their action.

God's chosen people had finally been delivered from their wilderness. And, Bible scholars also tell us that, some 600 years after this amazing crossing, our Lord Jesus was baptized by John at the place where the priests had crossed over!  A new day was about to dawn! God had called Joshua to be his instrument in leading the people of his time out of their wilderness and into their promised land.  Likewise, God sent Jesus, the Savior of the world, to be his instrument in showing us the way of salvation, that heaven might be our ultimate home.

God Will Lead Us Out of Our Wilderness

But even Jesus had to spend time in the wilderness.  We're told in Luke's gospel that after his baptism "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil." (Luke 4:1-2.)  Many times, the wilderness in which we find ourselves is a result of God allowing us to be tempted. But, God led Jesus out of his wilderness, and he will lead us out of ours...if we trust him.

How many of us, when we're faced with seemingly impossible situations, are willing to really trust God?  How many times do we choose to wander in the wilderness, instead of relying on God to lead us into a better life?  Some years ago, the radio broadcasts of a well-known evangelist were opened with these words being sung: "We've come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord; trusting in his holy word; he's never failed us yet." This concept worked for the israelites 2600 years ago.  It will work for us today!

Every so often, a secular song appears in which we can hear a message of faith...a reminder of God's love for us. "You'll Never Walk Alone"..."A Bridge Over Troubled Waters"...the moving, "God on High, Hear my Prayer" in "Les Miserables".  I would also include such a song as "You are the New Day," sung earlier for us.  It speaks of so many things that remind me of Jesus...love, life, hope...all borne on, or carried by a new day...the day in which we accept him as Savior, and Lord of our lives.

Time to Trust in Jesus

Does it seem like you're wandering in a wilderness today? Is your life aimless, without direction. What rivers do you have to cross in order to emerge from your wilderness? I know...there are so many rivers, and sometimes it seems that they're just too wide and just too deep.  And life is scary.  And you're afraid.  Listen again to God's word from our opening hymn..."Fear not, I am with thee, oh be not dismayed, for I am thy God and will still give thee aid; I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand...upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand."

And, the same promise he made to the Israelites, he makes to us:  "When through the deep waters I call thee to go, the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow; for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress."

"But preacher, you don't understand what I'm going through today!"  Yes, that's true. And nobody else does either, except God.

"But, I've tried everything!"   Really...have you tried Jesus?

It is Your Choice

Remember what St. Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth?  "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed."  Paul had wandered in a seemingly endless wilderness, until that new day when Christ came into his life.  I like the way the Living Bible puts Paul's words..."We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don't know why things happen as they do, but we don't give up and quit."  God has given each of us free will...the ability to choose what direction our lives will take.  We can choose wilderness, or we can choose a new day.  Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly." (John 10:10.)  Paul said, "don't give up and quit!"

The priests of Joshua's day made the decision to trust god and take the step of faith.  And, as Paul Harvey would say, now you know the rest of the story.

I am convinced that "God allows circumstances to come into our lives in order to keep us in the center of his will."  (Charles Stanley.)  Now, I don't know what the circumstances are that God has allowed to come into your life, but I do know that Jesus Christ is our great high priest, and there is nothing that we'll ever be called upon to face that he hasn't already faced....and overcome.

In his letter to the Thessalonians, St. Paul wrote, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (2 Thessalonians: 4:16-18)

Choose Jesus

Remember that the Lord told Joshua never to be frightened or dismayed, because the Lord would be with him at all times. Jesus said, "...I will be with you always, to the end of the age."  (Matthew 28:20.)  This morning, if you will take the step of faith and trust him to take charge of your life, Jesus will hold back the rivers that seem to be drowning you, and he will guide you out of your wilderness into a new day. And that's a promise.

And now...with all heads bowed, all eyes closed, all hearts open... Let us pray....

Our heavenly Father, we have come into your house this morning to worship you, to acknowledge that we are all sinners, and to give you thanks for sending your son Jesus to take away our sins.  Some of us have come seeking relief from the weight of heavy burdens.  Some have come seeking answers to personal problems.  Some have come desiring a deeper knowledge of your presence.  Many have come seeking a way out of the wilderness, hoping for a new day to dawn in our lives.  Through your Holy Spirit, help each of us to take the step of faith that will lead to trusting Christ, and allowing him to take complete charge of our lives, beginning right now.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.