Faith in Action: Embracing God's Promises
Summary
God has a path for each of us—a journey that leads from bondage and brokenness into blessing, purpose, and promise. Just as Israel stood at the edge of the Jordan, facing a river in flood stage, we too often find obstacles between us and the life God intends. The promise is real, but it must be possessed; it is not simply handed to us. We are called to respond in faith, to move toward what God has prepared, even when the way is unclear or daunting. Faith is not just belief, but belief in action—trusting God enough to step forward, even when the outcome is uncertain.
Obstacles are inevitable. The enemy will always try to distract, discourage, or deceive us, tempting us to take shortcuts or settle for less than God’s best. But God’s way is not always the easiest or most comfortable; it is, however, the only way that leads to true blessing. We must learn to follow God’s lead, keeping our eyes on Him rather than running ahead or lagging behind. This requires humility and a willingness to wait for His direction, trusting that He knows the way even when we do not.
Consecration is essential. Before Israel could enter the promised land, they had to set themselves apart, preparing their hearts and lives for what God was about to do. In the same way, we must be willing, available, and committed—laying aside distractions, sins, and anything that would hinder us from fully following God. This is not about legalism, but about devotion and readiness to say “yes” to God, no matter the cost.
Finally, the miracle comes when we step out in faith. The waters of the Jordan did not part until the priests’ feet touched the water. Likewise, God often waits for us to move before He moves on our behalf. The chaos and obstacles that seem insurmountable are no match for God’s power, but we must trust Him enough to take the first step. When we do, we find that God meets us, makes a way, and brings us into the fullness of His promise.
Key Takeaways
- Faith Requires Action, Not Just Belief
True faith is demonstrated not by what we say, but by what we do when faced with uncertainty or challenge. It’s easy to claim trust in God, but our real beliefs are revealed in our responses to crisis and difficulty. Faith that remains passive is not faith at all; it must move us to step forward, even when the path is unclear. [07:48]
- God’s Path Is Unique and Unfamiliar—Follow, Don’t Lead
We have not passed this way before, and God’s plans for us are often beyond our understanding. It is tempting to run ahead or try to control the journey, but blessing comes from keeping our eyes on God and following His lead. When we position ourselves to see where He is moving, we avoid the pitfalls of self-reliance and experience the guidance only He can provide. [21:33]
- Consecration Prepares Us for God’s Wonders
Before stepping into promise, we must set ourselves apart—willing, available, and committed to God’s will above all else. This means letting go of distractions, sin, and divided loyalties, and embracing a life wholly devoted to God. Consecration is not about earning God’s favor, but about being ready and available for what He wants to do in and through us. [24:28]
- Obedience Often Precedes the Miracle
The waters of the Jordan did not part until the priests stepped in; God’s provision and breakthrough often come after we take the step of obedience. We may want God to remove every obstacle before we move, but He calls us to trust Him enough to act first. The miracle is often waiting on the other side of our willingness to get our feet wet. [31:35]
- God Stops the Chaos Where We Cannot
The river was cut off at Adam—a reminder that where humanity’s strength ends, God’s power begins. The chaos and obstacles that threaten to overwhelm us are no match for God’s authority. When we step out in faith, God intervenes at the very point where we are powerless, making a way for us to enter into His promise. [33:28]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Reading Joshua 3:1-17
[03:30] - God’s Promises Require Our Pursuit
[05:58] - Facing Obstacles and the Unknown
[07:48] - Faith: Belief and Action
[10:35] - Trusting God’s Goodness in Uncertainty
[14:04] - The Danger of Shortcuts and Self-Will
[16:02] - Hearing and Following God’s Voice
[17:34] - The Simplicity and Challenge of God’s Commands
[19:50] - Point 1: Follow God’s Lead
[22:41] - The Dangers of Running Ahead of God
[24:28] - Point 2: Consecrate Yourself
[28:15] - The Cost and Joy of Consecration
[30:07] - Point 3: Step Out in Faith
[33:28] - God Stops the Chaos—The Miracle at the Jordan
[36:30] - Possessing the Promise and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
---
### Bible Reading
Joshua 3:1-17 (ESV)
> Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. At the end of three days the officers went through the camp 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 2,000 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.” Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” And Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on before the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.
>
> And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’” And Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.” And Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan. Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, from each tribe a man. And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.”
>
> So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.
---
### Observation Questions
1. What instructions did Joshua give the people before they crossed the Jordan River? (see v. 5)
2. According to the passage, what was the significance of the Ark of the Covenant leading the way? (see v. 3-4)
3. When did the waters of the Jordan actually part for the Israelites? (see v. 15-16)
4. In the sermon, what did the pastor say about the difference between faith and belief? [07:48]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God required the Israelites to consecrate themselves before experiencing the miracle at the Jordan? What does this say about the relationship between preparation and God’s work? [24:28]
2. The people were told to keep their eyes on the Ark and not run ahead. What does this teach about following God’s timing and direction in our own lives? [21:33]
3. The miracle at the Jordan didn’t happen until the priests stepped into the water. What does this reveal about the connection between obedience and God’s provision? [31:35]
4. The sermon mentioned that obstacles and chaos are inevitable on the journey to God’s promise. How does God’s intervention at the Jordan encourage us when we face things we can’t control? [33:28]
---
### Application Questions
1. The Israelites had to step into a flooded river before seeing God’s miracle. Is there an area in your life where you feel God is asking you to take a step of faith before you see the outcome? What would it look like to “get your feet wet” this week? [31:35]
2. The sermon talked about consecration—setting yourself apart and letting go of distractions or sin. Is there something specific in your life that you sense God is asking you to lay aside so you can be more available to Him? What practical step can you take to do that? [24:28]
3. The pastor said, “You can’t follow God if you’re running ahead of Him.” Are there areas where you tend to rush ahead of God’s timing or try to control the outcome? How can you practice waiting for God’s direction? [21:33]
4. When facing obstacles, the enemy often tempts us to take shortcuts or settle for less than God’s best. Can you think of a time when you were tempted to take a shortcut? What helped you (or could help you) choose God’s way instead? [14:04]
5. The sermon emphasized that faith is shown by action, not just words. What is one way you can put your faith into action this week, especially in an area where you feel uncertain or challenged? [07:48]
6. The miracle at the Jordan happened where human strength ended and God’s power began. Is there a situation in your life right now where you feel powerless? How can you invite God to intervene and trust Him with the outcome? [33:28]
7. The Israelites had to keep their eyes on the Ark to know where to go. What helps you keep your focus on God in the midst of distractions or uncertainty? Is there a new habit or practice you want to try to help you follow God’s lead more closely? [19:50]
---
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God’s Path When the Way Is Unknown
God often calls us into places we have never been before, just as He led Israel to the edge of the Jordan River, asking them to trust Him for the next step. The journey to God’s promises is rarely straightforward, and obstacles may seem insurmountable, but God knows the way and asks us to follow Him, not run ahead or lag behind. When we face uncertainty, it is not our own understanding or planning that will bring us into God’s best, but our willingness to keep our eyes on Him and move as He leads. Even when the path is winding or delayed, God’s timing and direction are perfect, and He prepares us for what lies ahead. Will you trust God’s path, even when you cannot see the outcome? [22:41]
Joshua 3:1-4 (ESV)
Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. At the end of three days the officers went through the camp 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 2,000 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: Where in your life do you sense God leading you into the unknown, and how can you intentionally keep your eyes on Him rather than rushing ahead or holding back?
Day 2: Consecration—Setting Yourself Apart for God’s Purpose
Before Israel could enter the promised land, they were called to consecrate themselves, to set themselves apart and prepare their hearts for what God was about to do. Consecration means being willing, available, and committed to God’s plan, separating from anything that would hinder your walk with Him. It is not enough to desire God’s blessing; He calls us to be all in, to dedicate ourselves fully to His will, even when it means letting go of comfort, convenience, or the approval of others. True consecration is a daily choice to say yes to God and no to the ways of the world, trusting that what He has for us is worth every sacrifice. [28:15]
Joshua 3:5 (ESV)
Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to set yourself apart from distractions or compromise so you can be fully available for God’s purpose?
Day 3: Stepping Out in Faith Before the Miracle
God’s miracles often require us to take the first step before we see the breakthrough. The priests carrying the ark had to step into the floodwaters of the Jordan before God parted the river; their faith was demonstrated by their willingness to get their feet wet. In the same way, God may be calling you to act on His promises before you see the evidence, trusting that He will make a way where there seems to be no way. Faith is not just believing in God’s power, but moving forward in obedience, even when the situation looks impossible. When you step out in faith, God meets you in the place of your need and shows His power on your behalf. [33:28]
Joshua 3:13-17 (ESV)
And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.” So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.
Reflection: What is one step of faith God is asking you to take today, even though you cannot yet see how He will provide or make a way?
Day 4: Trusting God’s Goodness in the Face of Obstacles
Between you and God’s promises, there will always be obstacles—unknowns, challenges, and even spiritual opposition. Yet God’s nature is good, and He is always working for your good, even when the path is difficult or the enemy tries to discourage you. The real test of faith is not just believing that God is good, but acting on that belief when circumstances are hard, trusting that His intentions for you are always for blessing and not for harm. When you choose to trust God’s goodness and move forward despite the obstacles, you open the door for Him to display His power and faithfulness in your life. [08:54]
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Reflection: Think of a current obstacle or challenge—how can you remind yourself of God’s goodness and choose to act in faith rather than fear or doubt?
Day 5: Hearing and Following God’s Voice
As children of God, we are meant to be led by His Spirit, to hear His voice and follow His direction in every area of life. God still speaks—through His Word, by His Spirit, and in the quiet places of our hearts—and He desires that we would recognize and respond to His leading. Sometimes we doubt whether we can hear God, but if you have responded to Jesus, you have already heard His call. The more you position yourself to listen and obey, the more clearly you will discern His guidance, and the more confidently you will walk in His will and promises. [16:02]
John 10:27 (ESV)
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
Reflection: When was the last time you sensed God speaking to you—through Scripture, prayer, or a prompting—and how can you make space this week to listen more intentionally for His voice?
Quotes
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jul 20, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?