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 between you and the ark; do not go near it.”
Joshua 3:3-4 NIV
Life often leads us to an unfamiliar crossroads where we must take steps we’ve never taken before. These steps could involve starting a new job, relocating to a different city, entering into marriage, or even becoming a parent. In these moments, we often feel overwhelmed, anxious, and unsure of what to do because we are stepping into the unknown.
In today’s passage, we see the Israelites in a similar position. They had never travelled the path ahead of them. However, this unfamiliarity didn’t mean they were unprepared or bound to fail. The key to their success lies in following God’s direction. In this passage, the Ark of the Covenant symbolises God’s presence and guidance. The instruction was clear: when you see the Ark, follow it.
Like the Israelites, when we face new seasons or challenges in life, we may feel uncertain because we’ve never experienced these situations before. However, our success in navigating these seasons does not depend on familiarity but on following God’s Word for that particular time. It’s crucial not just to recognise that we are in unfamiliar territory but to take action based on God’s guidance. When the Israelites saw the Ark of the Covenant, they received the command to leave where they were and follow.
Similarly, when we encounter life’s challenges, we must rely on God’s direction. It’s not enough to simply know what God’s Word says. The mistake we often make is failing to act on that knowledge. In every season, God provides specific guidance that we need to follow if we are to succeed. Trusting in our own understanding often leads to confusion, but by following God’s path, we can confidently move forward.
Victory lies in following God’s guidance for each unique season even in the unknown. His Word gives us the instructions we need, and it is through obedience to these instructions that we will be victorious in life’s new journeys.