Certain Uncertanties
Giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits[a] between you and the ark; do not go near it.”
Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”
~Joshua 3:3-5
When I say the word uncertainty, what do you think of? How do you feel? Nobody likes uncertainties. Even those who enjoy the process of challenges or adventures, they like to have a plan upfront and hope to get an expected end result. When we face uncertainties, e.g. when we wait for some medical test results, or results from a school examination, or when we take on a new challenge – like pick up a new job, move and build up a new life in a new city, we normally feel a mixture of feelings – we may feel excited, nervous, and afraid, and even hesitate to move forward to take on the challenge. In the last two years, I think most of us might have experienced the feeling of uncertainties. Because of the COVID pandemic, it was hard for us to make plans and figure out what we could do in coming days. Our life changed daily based on the trend of the virus spread and policies from the government.
In chapter 3 of Joshua, the Israelites settled in Jordan and were ready to follow God’s promise to move into the promise land. After spending 40 years in the desert, they were finally getting close to the end of their journey and starting a new life – this was something they had been looking forward to for a long time. Despite feeling excited, I am sure they must have also felt the same mixed feelings when we face uncertainties – nervous, anxious and afraid. They would be worried because they had no idea how the local people would react, they had no clue how the promise land looked like, and they did not know what their new life would be.
But, do you think God knows their feelings? As sons and daughters of God, do you think God would let them face all the challenges and uncertainties alone by themselves. In the Joshua 3, it indicates that God passed a message to HIS chosen people and let them know HE understands their feelings. God knew the Israelites had never been this way before, but God cared about their feelings. And not only did God understand and care for their feelings, God guided them and provided them with a solution to face the situation. The instruction was clear and precise. HE did not ask the Israelites to evaluate the situation, strengthened their bodies, built more weapons, and planned the best tactics.
First, GOD told them they should move out of their position and follow the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, which was carried by the Levitical priests, and to keep a distance of about two thousand cubits[a] from the ark. What does this mean? Instead of asking the Israelites to do this, to do that and carry out a lot of preparation, God told his people – even though they were experiencing a situation they had never faced before, they should not be afraid. Be patient, just follow the ark of covenant, which is carried by the Levitical priests. Why did they have to follow the ark of covenant? Because the ark of covenant is actually the symbol of God. Not only did they have to follow the ark of covenant step by step, but they were instructed by God to not overtake it. God wanted them to just follow HIS way (HIS plan), and not their own plan. They had to understand that their success would be because of God, and not of their own power.
Second, the Israelites were instructed to consecrate themselves to be ready for the future. When they commit to follow God, they have to try their best to purify themselves. They need a clean and clear mind. They need to make sure that they are ready to follow God’s orders when it comes. Not only did God provide a solution to the Israelites, HE promised to do amazing things among them in coming days. They would experience things that they might have never thought about. God gave guarantee to them that something special would happen if they followed HIS way.
Today, following God’s teaching, a new church gets ready to setup in a specific way. People is facing similar situations as the Israelites – a way most of people has never experienced before. There will be a lot of uncertainties, also excited, anxious, worry, – when will the new church be fully organized, where will the new church be located, what will be our financial needs, and a lot more. At this moment, no one know all the answers and solutions, and don’t know what will happen. Unexpected challenges is expected. The road seems difficult. How can it be achieved? The experience of the Israelites gave us a sample of God’s teaching. The future is uncertain. But, one thing is certain, same as what the Israelites in Jordan experienced, God knows the situation and God knows people’s feelings. What you have to do is to purify yourselves, have a pure mind, get ready, and humbly follow HIS steps and ways. For sure, God will certainly do amazing things among you.
3:3 吩咐百姓說、你們看見耶和華你們 神的約櫃、又見祭司利未人抬著、就要離開所住的地方、跟著約櫃去。
3:4 只是你們和約櫃相離、要量二千肘．不可與約櫃相近、使你們知道所當走的路．因為這條路你們向來沒有走過。
3:5 約書亞吩咐百姓說、你們要自潔．因為明天耶和華必在你們中間行奇事。