DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2018 A JOURNEY OF FAITH TEXT: JOSHUA 3:1-13

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2018

A JOURNEY OF FAITH

TEXT: JOSHUA 3:1-13

Key Verse: “And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it ” (Joshua 3:3)_

The African impala can jump to a height of over 10 feet and cover a distance more than 30 feet, but could also be enclosed in any zoo with a 3-foot wall. These magnificent creatures will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will fall. Faith is the ability to trust and be freed from the flimsy enclosures of life that fear allows to entrap us.

Israel was to cross River Jordan into the Promised Land after years of meandering through the wilderness. With their plans based only on the promise of God to cut off the waters of the Jordan, it was therefore a journey of faith.

Looking at the battles that were fought in the Bible, there was so much reliance on divine protection without much emphasis on getting the services of the expert mercenaries. It would appear laughable that one would rely on just a promise made by God to win under those conditions – but it worked. Israel defeated all the nations that came against them, but only failed when they disobeyed God’s commandments. The laws of nature appeared to be set aside when they crossed two major rivers and numerous other obstacles to eventually make it to the Promised Land.

The Christian journey is that of faith. To make it to the Promised Land of heaven, we need to sometimes close our eyes to science and the laws of nature, trusting God alone to take us through the many obstacles that present themselves on the way. It is impossible to pass through life without obstacles. Some of them could be long and challenging like the huge Jordan overflowing its banks. You may sometimes get to the river before the strategy to cross comes out. Whatever happens, we must keep pressing on by faith.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Faith is believing the impossible and seeing the invisible.
COVER to COVER: DEAUTERONOMY 1-2_

PONDER on More Lessons on Faith

1. Joshua received the direct revelation. The leaders identified with the revelation as if it was given to them directly and passed it across to all. A lesson on unity and faith in leadership. v3
2. A space of 1km before the ark. A true faith has reference and honour for God's temple, temple ministers and God's presence. v4.
3. Deliberate preparation towards cleansing and holiness precedes wonders from above. v5.
4. When the instruction from God appears contrary to reason, all faith needs to do is to obey and trust v12,13.

HYMN: Standing on the promises of God (GHS 243)

1. Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
through eternal ages let his praises ring;
glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
standing on the promises of God.

Refrain:
Standing, standing,
standing on the promises of God my Savior;
standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

2 Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
by the living Word of God I shall prevail,
standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]

3 Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord,
overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]

4 Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
listening every moment to the Spirit’s call,
resting in my Savior as my all in all,
standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, I consecrate to be united with my pastors' instructions and confessions of faith.
2. Give me more revelation of your awesomeness so that I will always have high honour and faith in you.
3. Any need? Check the promise(s) that covers the need and stand on it in prayer.
4. Lord, remove every obstacle to wonders in my life and church.
5. Pray for the Sunday service of today.