Embracing an Onward Orientation in Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing an Onward Orientation

An onward orientation is a posture that propels forward movement and resists stagnation. It involves a continual journey of faith, where we are not content with past achievements but are always seeking to grow closer to God. This orientation helps us avoid spiritual complacency and keeps us moving toward the promises God has for us. [54:54]

In Joshua 3:1-6, the Israelites are on the brink of entering the Promised Land, symbolizing the Christian life’s onward movement. They had to follow the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's presence, to navigate uncharted territory. Similarly, we must follow Jesus, our ultimate High Priest, who leads us through life's uncertainties. This onward orientation is not just about physical movement but a spiritual posture that seeks continual growth and deeper intimacy with God. It involves resisting the temptation to become stagnant or complacent in our faith journey.

The story of Joshua and Caleb, the only two from their generation allowed to enter the Promised Land, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faith and obedience. They had an onward orientation, unlike their peers who were stuck in grumbling and idolatry. This orientation is about continually seeking God’s presence and guidance, trusting that He has more in store for us, and being willing to take the next step of faith.

Joshua 3:3-4 (ESV): "And commanded the people, 'As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about two thousand cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel spiritually stagnant? How can you take a step today to seek God’s presence and move forward in your faith journey?

Day 2: Adopting a Forward-Facing Perspective

No matter how far we've wandered or how much we've achieved, an onward orientation requires a forward-facing perspective. This means looking ahead and not dwelling on past failures or successes. It involves trusting that God has more in store for us and being willing to take the next step of faith. [01:07:59]

A forward-facing perspective is crucial for maintaining an onward orientation in our spiritual journey. It means not allowing past failures to define us or past successes to make us complacent. Instead, we look ahead, trusting that God has more in store for us. This perspective requires faith and courage, as it often involves stepping into the unknown and trusting God’s guidance.

The Israelites had to trust God to part the waters of the Jordan River, just as we must trust Jesus to lead us through life's challenges. By keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and the promises He has for us, we can move forward with confidence, knowing that He is with us every step of the way.

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Reflection: What past failure or success is holding you back from moving forward in your faith? How can you shift your focus to what God has in store for your future?

Day 3: Renewing Our Dedication

Consecration is a decisive act of moving from compromise and complacency to holiness. It involves purification, alignment with God's purposes, and surrendering control to Him. This renewed dedication prepares us to see the wonders of God in our lives. [01:12:59]

Renewed dedication involves consecration—purifying ourselves, aligning with God's purposes, and surrendering control to Him. This is not a passive drift but a decisive act of moving from compromise and complacency to holiness. By consecrating ourselves, we prepare to see the wonders of God in our lives. This process involves examining our lives, confessing our sins, and making a conscious decision to align our actions with God’s will.

The Israelites were instructed to consecrate themselves before crossing the Jordan River, symbolizing the need for spiritual preparation before experiencing God’s promises. Similarly, we must consecrate ourselves daily, seeking to live in holiness and alignment with God’s purposes. This act of consecration is essential for maintaining an onward orientation and experiencing the fullness of God’s blessings.

Joshua 3:5 (ESV): "Then Joshua said to the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.'"

Reflection: What areas of your life need purification and alignment with God’s purposes? How can you consecrate yourself today to prepare for the wonders God wants to do in your life?

Day 4: Finding Settled Rest in Jesus

True rest is found in Jesus, our High Priest, who has gone before us and lives in us. This rest is not just a physical state but a spiritual assurance in God's presence. It involves striving to enter this rest by following Jesus and trusting in His guidance and provision. [01:24:25]

Settled rest in Jesus is a profound spiritual assurance that transcends physical rest. It is found in Jesus, our High Priest, who has gone before us and lives in us. This rest involves trusting in His guidance and provision, knowing that He is with us in every circumstance. It is a calm assurance in God’s presence, allowing us to navigate life’s challenges with peace and confidence.

The Israelites had to trust God to part the waters of the Jordan River, just as we must trust Jesus to lead us through life's uncertainties. By following Jesus and resting in His presence, we can experience true peace and assurance, knowing that He is our ultimate guide and provider.

Hebrews 4:9-10 (ESV): "So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to find rest in Jesus? How can you trust in His guidance and provision today to experience His peace and assurance?

Day 5: Practicing Daily Consecration

To maintain an onward orientation, we must consecrate ourselves daily. This involves examining our lives, confessing our sins, and aligning our actions with God's will. By doing so, we become aware of the wonders of God among us and experience His transformative power. [01:22:28]

Daily consecration is essential for maintaining an onward orientation in our spiritual journey. It involves examining our lives, confessing our sins, and aligning our actions with God’s will. By consecrating ourselves daily, we become more aware of God’s presence and the wonders He is doing among us. This practice helps us stay focused on our spiritual growth and avoid complacency.

The Israelites were instructed to consecrate themselves before experiencing God’s wonders, symbolizing the need for spiritual preparation. Similarly, we must make a daily commitment to consecrate ourselves, seeking to live in holiness and alignment with God’s purposes. This daily practice allows us to experience God’s transformative power and stay on the path of spiritual growth.

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: How can you make a daily commitment to consecrate yourself to God? What specific steps can you take today to align your actions with His will and experience His transformative power?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In Joshua 3:1-6, we see the Israelites on the brink of entering the Promised Land, a journey that symbolizes the Christian life’s onward movement. The key theme is having an "onward orientation," a posture that propels us forward in our spiritual journey, resisting stagnation and complacency. The Israelites had to follow the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's presence, to navigate uncharted territory. Similarly, we must follow Jesus, our ultimate High Priest, who leads us through life's uncertainties.

The story of Joshua and Caleb, the only two from their generation allowed to enter the Promised Land, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faith and obedience. They had an onward orientation, unlike their peers who were stuck in grumbling and idolatry. This orientation is not just about physical movement but a spiritual posture that seeks continual growth and deeper intimacy with God.

An onward orientation involves three key elements: a forward-facing perspective, a renewed dedication, and a settled rest in Jesus. A forward-facing perspective means looking ahead, regardless of past failures or successes. Renewed dedication involves consecration—purifying ourselves, aligning with God's purposes, and surrendering control to Him. This consecration is a decisive act, not a passive drift. Finally, a settled rest is found in Jesus, who has gone before us and lives in us, offering a calm assurance in His presence.

The Israelites' journey through the wilderness and their eventual crossing of the Jordan River is a metaphor for our spiritual journey. Just as they had to trust God to part the waters, we must trust Jesus to lead us through life's challenges. Jesus is our better Ark, our better High Priest, and our better Joshua, guiding us into a life of promised rest and spiritual victory.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Facing Perspective**: No matter how far we've wandered or how much we've achieved, an onward orientation requires a forward-facing perspective. This means looking ahead and not dwelling on past failures or successes. It involves trusting that God has more in store for us and being willing to take the next step of faith. [01:07:59]
3. Renewed Dedication: Consecration is a decisive act of moving from compromise and complacency to holiness. It involves purification, alignment with God's purposes, and surrendering control to Him. This renewed dedication prepares us to see the wonders of God in our lives.

4. Settled Rest in Jesus: True rest is found in Jesus, our High Priest, who has gone before us and lives in us. This rest is not just a physical state but a spiritual assurance in God's presence. It involves striving to enter this rest by following Jesus and trusting in His guidance and provision.

5. Daily Consecration: To maintain an onward orientation, we must consecrate ourselves daily. This involves examining our lives, confessing our sins, and aligning our actions with God's will. By doing so, we become aware of the wonders of God among us and experience His transformative power.

### [67:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[51:31] - Introduction and Context
[52:27] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
[53:26] - Reading Joshua 3:1-6
[54:02] - Importance of Lodging
[54:54] - Onward Orientation Explained
[55:37] - Personal Story of Orientation
[56:30] - Spiritual Stagnation
[57:37] - Disorientation in Life
[58:22] - Restlessness as Spiritual Health
[59:00] - Historical Context of Israel's Journey
[60:04] - God's Promise to Abraham
[61:04] - Crossing the Jordan River
[62:59] - Joshua and Caleb's Faith
[63:55] - Choosing Faith Over Comfort
[65:02] - Promised Land as Starting Line
[66:59] - Magnetic Propulsion Analogy
[67:59] - Forward-Facing Perspective
[72:59] - Renewed Dedication and Consecration
[82:28] - Daily Consecration
[84:25] - Settled Rest in Jesus
[87:42] - Jesus as the Better Ark and High Priest
[91:01] - Call to Consecration and Faith
[94:40] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What specific instructions did Joshua give to the Israelites in Joshua 3:1-6 regarding the Ark of the Covenant? ([53:26])
According to Genesis 12:1-3, what promise did God make to Abram, and how does it relate to the Israelites' journey in Joshua 3?
In Hebrews 4:8-11, what kind of rest is being referred to, and how does it connect to the rest mentioned in Joshua 3?

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean to have an "onward orientation" in the context of the Israelites' journey and our spiritual lives today? ([54:54])
How does the concept of consecration in Joshua 3:5 apply to modern-day believers? What does it mean to consecrate oneself today? ([01:12:59])
How does the story of Joshua and Caleb's faithfulness challenge our own faith and obedience in the face of uncertainty? ([01:02:59])

Application Questions

Reflect on your current spiritual journey. Are there areas where you feel stagnant or complacent? What steps can you take to adopt an onward orientation? ([54:54])
How can you develop a forward-facing perspective in your life, especially when dealing with past failures or successes? ([01:07:59])
What specific actions can you take this week to consecrate yourself and align more closely with God's purposes? ([01:12:59])
In what ways can you find a settled rest in Jesus amidst life's uncertainties? How can you remind yourself daily of His presence and guidance? ([01:24:25])
Identify one area in your life where you need to surrender control to God. What practical steps can you take to trust Him more fully in this area? ([01:17:30])
How can you incorporate daily consecration into your routine? What specific practices or habits can help you stay aligned with God's will? ([01:22:28])
Think of a recent challenge or uncertainty you faced. How did you respond, and how might you respond differently with an onward orientation and a settled rest in Jesus? ([01:26:06])

Sermon Clips

1. "For anyone here today who feels stuck in sin or shame or religious exercises that are unfulfilling and you need to know that God is not finished with you and there is more territory for you to conquer. Jesus welcomes you. He welcomes you today with an invitation to follow him into new places of spiritual victory. That's what the book of Joshua is all about." [52:27] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The direction of the Christian life is onward. Onward. Onward. To you this morning is this. Do you, if you claim to be a follower of Jesus, if you claim to be a Christian, do you have an onward orientation? Let me tell you what I mean by that." [54:54] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "An onward orientation is a posture that propels forward movement and resists stagnation. Now, again, I hope you've been following along each week as Bill and others have been taking you through this book. But it's all about a journey. Do you know how much onward movement there is in the Bible? The story of the Bible is the story of God moving his people onward. And I hope that your story, your orientation is a story of God moving you onward." [56:30] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The human heart. My human heart. The prone to stagnation. It is prone to find comfort in safe places. It is not prone to risk. It is not prone to take steps of faith. These people didn't know what was on the other side of that Jordan River. They had to make a choice. Are we going to obey God by faith and move into the land God has promised? Or are we going to stay here where we feel safe and comfortable and content?" [01:03:55] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "No matter where you've been, no matter how far you've wandered, if you're in a wilderness of sin or shame or guilt or fear or addiction, Jesus welcomes you. Get your mind and your eyes off of what is in your past and look forward to all that God is calling you to in front of you. He's been so gracious, like he is to these people. He's a promise-keeping God in spite of their idolatry, in spite of their grumbling and their complaining. Here they are, just one step away from enjoying this promised land of milk and honey and grace and goodness. If you'll take the next step, he'll be faithful to meet you there." [01:09:51] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Whenever a Christian, a church, a marriage, an individual stops moving onward, do you know what happens? That individual or that church begins to die. If you stop moving, you start dying. God always has something else in front of us. So, I would ask you, what is God calling you into? What is the next step of faith God is calling you to take?" [01:11:54] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Moving away from God happens in small, imperceptible drifts. Moving onward with God happens in big, decisive shifts. I was so encouraged to hear Pastor Bill this morning throw down the gauntlet to his church. Did you hear what he called you to in October? To be honest, I heard a little chuckle go through the congregation. What? Get off social media? Turn off the TV? What would I do? Follow God? Maybe read a Christian book? Maybe serve in a way that you currently don't have time? Do you know what he called you to? He called you to consecrate yourselves." [01:13:58] (71 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Only those who consecrate themselves every day will be aware of the wonders of God among them every day. If you want to see the wonders of God among you, orient yourself toward God. Concentrate. Consecrate yourself toward him." [01:22:28] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Jesus is the true and better covenant. He is the better ark. He is the better high priest. Jesus is the better Joshua. Do you know that the name Joshua and the name Jesus essentially is the same name? He is the one that leads us into this place of promised rest and invites us to move with him and to follow him and to have this onward orientation. Do you have it? Are you content with where you're at? Are you ready to move as an individual follower of Christ, as a church? I trust you have an onward orientation." [01:30:06] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Lord Jesus, thank you for being our high priest, our Joshua that leads us forward. God, I pray that in every seat, in every corner of this worship center right now, by your Spirit, you would be calling people to take their next step of faith. I pray that you would dislodge us from being content, complacent, living outside of the promised rest that you so longed to give us. And Lord, we just proclaim how wonderful you are, that you have done a wonderful work in rescuing us from our slavery to sin. And yet, God, we ask you to do it again. We ask you to show us wonders by transforming and reorienting our hearts from sin, to service, from grumbling to gratitude. God, do that in my heart. And we consecrate ourselves to you as your people. Lead us onward. Give us faith. Thank you for being our leader. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen." [01:34:40] (81 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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