Uncharted: Facing life’s transitions

Bishop Delroy Powell -13-09-2020

 

1.Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and they set out from [a]Acacia Grove and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they crossed over. 2. So it was, after three days, that the officers went through the camp; 3. and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites, [b]bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. 4. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.” Joshua 3: 1 -4 NKJV

Question: What do you do…

• when can’t see your way through?
• When the terrain is no longer recognisable?
• When your map has become obsolete? 
• When our plans and programmes are disrupted?
• How do we stay true to our mission when our methods no longer work? 

1. Your circumstance doesn’t cancel out your purpose
2. Your experience doesn’t altar God’s ultimate goal for your life.

“Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this cause I came! John 12.27

“For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost”. Luke 19.10;

 “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil”. 1 John 3.8

What is a transition?

• A process or -a period of changing from one state or condition to another.
• The in-between time–
• The time and space between “here” and “there”..

Uncharted: 

• not shown or located on a map
• unexplored
• an unknown place or region   

[Biblical example]

Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected Saul from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have [a]provided Myself a king among his sons.” 1 Samuel 16.1 (NKJV)

KP#1 Life’s transitions are the vehicle that God uses to transport us into …

• deeper revelation of who God is
• clearer discovery of who we are 
• more meaningful understanding of our purpose

KP#2: God is working us in times of transition.   

KP#3: Transitions keeps us moving forward.

Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 8.The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged [dismayed].” Deuteronomy 31:7-8 (NIV) 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV) 

Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before Joshua 3.4

Since you have not passed this way before;

1.      Pay attention to God’s word. (v3)

2.      keep your eyes on God. (v3)   

“When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it…” Joshua 3.3a

3.     Act on divine instruction (v3)

then you shall set out from your place and go after it. Joshua 3.3a

Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before Joshua 3.4

God promises to

1. Go ahead of us to lead and guide us.

Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” Joshua 3.6

2. Be in the midst of us to provide for us.

The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground. Joshua 3.17

 3. Be behind us to protect us. 

Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. (Isaiah 58:8 NKJV)

And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. (Exodus 14:19 NKJV)

[In the meantime]

-       Acknowledge God in your circumstance

-       Surrender to his leading

-       Align to his plan and direction.

Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”  (KJV work wonders among you). Joshua 3.5 NIV