In the movie, The Dead Poets Society, Mr. Keating (played by Robin Williams) brings his class before a display case featuring photographs of previous students. He asks the students to stand near it and listen carefully they are saying. In a haunting voice, he then utters: “Carpe Diem! Carpe Diem! Seize the day!”
That movie more than any other put “Carpe Diem” into the mainstream of American vocabulary. In looking at the Israelites and their move into the Promised Land, one could certainly say that they answered the call of God to “Carpe Diem.” Their forefathers, unfortunately, rejected the call of God and had condemned themselves to a meager existence of wandering in the desert for forty years.
The move of Israelites from the wilderness into the Promised Land certainly marked a great leap for them as a people. No longer were they to be a group of nomads eking out an existence in the wilderness. No longer would they just get by, but in crossing the Jordan they were going to take their place as a nation in the world and begin to fulfill God’s redemptive plan for the world.
When we read stories from the Bible we can often garner principles to apply to our own lives. Just as the nation of Israel wandered aimlessly without fulfilling its God ordained destiny, so many believers also wander aimlessly without fulfilling the destiny that God has for them. If there ever was a challenge that God would make to the church of America, I believe it is Joshua 3:5:
And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” – Joshua 3:5
This morning we are going to look at the steps the Israelites took in their journey across the Jordan into the Promised Land and seek to apply them to our lives.
In reviewing these steps, we see in Joshua 3:5 the first step they took.
I. They sanctified themselves. (Joshua 3:5)
The word used in this passage for sanctify is the Hebrew word qâdâsh. This word literally means to be set apart, dedicate, or consecrate by purification. This word appears several times in scripture with two main contexts.
A. Being set apart—A call to be holy (Example the consecration of Aaron and his sons)
And you shall take some of the blood that is on the altar, and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and on his garments shall be hallowed, and his sons’ garments with him.—Exodus 29:21
These priests went through this ceremony because God was showing them that they were set apart. Likewise, God was calling the nation of Israel to be set apart and even believers today to be set apart as holy priests.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. – 1 Peter 2:9
Just as the blood of rams set the priests apart as holy, so the blood of Christ sets us apart as holy and thus we need to separate ourselves from that which is not holy.
Consider what is written in Exodus 28:36-37:
You shall make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving on a signet:
Holiness to the Lord. And you shall put it on a blue cord, that it may be on the turban, it shall be on the front of the turban.
This was something only the head priest could wear in ancient times. When the priest wore it, this plate was evident for all to see. For those of us in Christ, however, this is something that has been engraved on all of our foreheads and we must live such lives that it is evident for all to see.
B. Sanctification by purification-- Often times when the Israelites were called to sanctify themselves they had to wash themselves and their clothing.
The Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments.” – Exodus 19:10
When Joshua called the Israelites to sanctify themselves, I believe that they went through a similar ritual. The reason for this was that the inward preparation for meeting with God was reflected in the outward actions of maintaining physical cleanliness.
Cmd. Sgt. Soto Illustration: You often hear of inspections for those who are in the military. When I was in Army Signal School we had an inspection that did not go so well. In the military you have command sergeant majors who the highest ranking enlisted men in the army. They usually answer directly to a colonel. Command sergeant majors often conduct inspections and because they answer directly to a colonel they are able to cause even some officers to quake in their boots.
One particular day, Sgt. Major Soto inspected our barracks. Everywhere he noticed film on the bathroom tiles he wrote: “Soto was here!” Anywhere he noticed dust on the floor tiles he wrote: “Soto was here!” Anywhere there was dirt, he wrote: “Soto was here!” To say the least, our sergeants weren’t happy with the results.
We as believers need to get our barracks in order and ask God to search us and show us what needs cleaning. We need to pray as David did in Psalm 139:23:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties.”
II. They took the first step of faith in fulfilling their destiny—they crossed over. (Joshua 3:14-17)
Joshua 3
14 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. 15 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea [1] ) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.
Indiana Jones Illustration: In the movie, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Indiana Jones has nearly completed his quest in finding the Holy Grail. Only one thing is separating him from his prize: a canyon between himself and the cave where it is located. He remembers the clues in finding the grail. The last clue was to take the leap of faith. He then proceeds to step off the cliff and then to his amazement a stone bridge appears between himself and the cave.
Like Indiana Jones, many times we too are called to make that step of faith. We don’t know the outcome of what we are doing, but we are called to take that step. Only when we take that step does God’s path often become clear. Like Indiana Jones, if we fail to take that initial step we might deprive ourselves of a great blessing.
Sara Hughes Illustration: The Women’s’ Ice Skating Competition in the 2002 Winter Olympics was supposed to be a clash of the Titans for the gold with U.S. skater Michelle Kwan pitted against Irina Slutskaya. Sara Hughes, a 16-year-old fourth place contender, however, stunned the world when she took the gold.
Both Kwan and Slutskaya felt the pressure of the event. Kwan fell during her performance and Slutskaya’s performance appeared quite stilted. Hughes, on the other hand, wasn’t concerned about the outcome. She stepped out on to the rink and skated her heart out. As a result, she skated a performance that was both beautiful and flawless. Washington Post columnist Mary McGrory had this to say:
“When it was over, she was incredulous. It was as if someone else had been on the ice. Her expression as she greeted her equally unbelieving coach, Robin Wagner, said plainly, ‘Did I do THAT?’ and ‘Was that ME out there?’ Her attitude seemed to be that she had been given this gift, which it was fun to share. What she had that the others lacked was joy.”
Many people are afraid to step out in service to the Lord out of fear of what the outcome will be. That however is the mistake. The outcome isn’t ours to worry about—the outcome belongs to God. God only desires that we step out in obedience and in faith. With the joyful assurance of His presence, we can be certain that whatever the outcome, God will be glorified in our actions if we are following His lead.
III. They chose to always remember their experience with God. (Joshua 4:6-7)
Joshua 4
5 and said to them, "Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, 6 to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ’What do these stones mean?’ 7 tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord . When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."
In Experiencing God, Henry Blackaby states that “you come to know God more intimately as He reveals Himself to you through your experiences with Him.” It is in reflecting on our experiences with God that we grow in our faith and love for Him. It is these victories, these encounters with God that give us strength in the race we run.
Eric Liddell Illustration: Eric Liddell was a great rugby player and sprinter who competed in the 1924 Olympics. His story was portrayed in the movie, Chariots of Fire. Liddell was to compete in 100 meter competition, but when he learned that the heats were to be run on a Sunday, he switched to the 400 meter competition, one he was not prepared to run. This scene is beautifully portrayed in Chariots of Fire. Just before the race, a fellow runner hands him a slip of paper. On it is written a Bible verse.
Clutching the Bible verse in his hand, Liddell sprints to a gold medal victory for the event. Like Liddell, we too, need to clutch on to the promises of God and remembrances of His provision in our lives. It is in clutching to these that we too find strength in the race we run.
Sometimes we as Christians need to stop along life’s road and look back. Although it might have been winding and steep, we can see how God directed us by His faithfulness.
Here’s how F.E. Marsh described what the Christian can see when he looks back:
The deliverances the Lord has wrought (Deut. 5:15).
The way He has led (Deut. 8:2)
The blessings He has bestowed (Deut. 32:7-12).
The victories He has won (Deut. ll:2-7).
The encouragements He has given (Josh. 23:14).
When we face difficulties, we sometimes forget God’s past faithfulness. We see only the detours and the dangerous path. But look back and you will also see the joy of victory, the challenge of the climb, and the presence of your traveling Companion who has promised never to leave you nor forsake you.
IV. They cut away their flesh. (Joshua 5:2-4)
Joshua 5
2 At that time the Lord said to Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again." 3 So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth.
Circumcision was a picture of what we are to do with our hearts. It represented a cutting away of flesh. What is the flesh in spiritual terms? Anything that gets in the way of our relationship with God.
Deuteronomy 10
16 Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.
In Hebrews 12:1, the author speaks of cutting off that which would hinder us in our race.
Hebrews 12:1
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Illustration: Two men were riding on a two person bike going up a steep hill. They were panting and perspiring the whole distance as they crested the top of the hill. The first man said, "That was a tough climb." The second man said, "It certainly was. And if I hadn’t kept the brake on, we would have slid down that hill backwards." We need to learn to cast off anything that hinders our progress!
Safari Illustration: Two attorneys, Cary Babcock and Gordon Lee, went on safari in the African bush. One day as they rested, they, removed their packs, and leaned their rifles against a tree. They were soon alarmed when a large lion emerged from the brush, eyeing them hungrily.
It was clear their rifles were too far away to do them any good. Babcock began to remove his shoes, and Lee asked him why he was doing that.
Babcock replied, "Because I can run faster without them."
Lee declared, "I don’t care how fast you can run. You’ll never out race that lion."
The now barefoot Babcock told him, "I don’t have to outrun the lion. I just have to outrun you."
V. They didn’t campout at their experience—they moved forward! (Joshua 5:13-12:24)
God has called us to a spirtual journey--not a campout!
We can never stand still in the kingdom of God. We are either moving forward or falling backward. God didn’t make us to back pedal! Note what we can learn from the emu and the kangaroo.
Illustration: The Australian coat of arms pictures two creatures--the emu, a flightless bird, and the kangaroo. The animals were chosen because they share a characteristic that appealed to the Australian citizens. Both the emu and kangaroo can move only forward, not back. The emu’s three-toed foot causes it to fall if it tries to go backwards, and the kangaroo is prevented from moving in reverse by its large tail. Those who truly choose to follow Jesus become like the emu and kangaroo, moving only forward, never back (Luke 9:62).
Steve Morrison.
Not moving forward can be costly!
Gettysburg Illustration: After the battle of Gettysburg, General Lee retreated west and southwest through Hagerstown, Maryland and into Virginia. The Union General Meade considered pursuit, but determined that the defensive nature of the Appalachian passes prohibited full pursuit. Meade did harass Lee’s retreat - which resulted in minor skirmishes and capture of various Confederate units, but full pursuit did not materialize. Meade’s decision not to pursue Lee angered Lincoln, who expected a decisive victory. If Meade had pursued Lee he would like have defeated the Confederate Army and ended the Civil War. Meade’s hesitancy, however, allowed Lee’s army to return to Virginia and resulted in the war lasting another two years thus costing the lives of thousands of others!
The Prize is worth the challenge of the journey!
Hirofumi Daimatsu illustration: Volleyball was introduced as an Olympic sport in the 1964 Tokyo games. A Japanese women’s team was chosen to represent their nation for the event. Hirofumi Daimatsu, their coach, put the women through a grueling training program that resembled a Marine boot camp. The six day a week training program was quite brutal on the women both physically and mentally. Daimatsu, in fact, was trying to utterly break the women. He promised them two things: those who could not survive would be released from the team, but those who did would win the Olympic gold medal.
The training, however, did pay off and they eventually did win the gold. When they stood to receive their medals every woman was crying.
“It was a glorious moment,” said team captain Masae Kasai. “We all cried for two reasons. We had won the gold medal and had fulfilled our expectations and that of the Japanese people. Even more, we cried because this would be our last game together, and even though we had been through so much pain and anguish it was worth it. I’m sure we would all do it again.”
Even though their journey had been difficult, those women would have gone through it again for the prize of the gold. At times, our spiritual journey is difficult, but in the end we are promised a gold crown if we are faithful.
In Joshua 3:5, God promised the Israelites that He would do wonders among them if they would only trust Him and follow His leading. God promises the same thing for us. All we need to do is follow.
If God is speaking to you this morning, I want to encourage you to come forward. Maybe there is an area of your life that you need sanctifying. Maybe there is something that you need to lay down to help you in your spiritual journey.
