XPAND YOUR ENGAGEMENT

Date: January 16, 2025

We know the two men Joshua sent out had quite a journey and quite the stories to tell, and that is where we pick up today.

Joshua 2:23

So the two men returned, descended from the mountain, and crossed over; and they came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all that had befallen them.

Can you imagine the conversation? What did they say? I am sure it took a lot of time because they wanted to share the good news with Joshua of everything that happened on their mission trip.

The result of how it affected their lives was also evident.

Joshua 2:24

And they said to Joshua, “Truly the Lord has delivered all the land into our hands, for indeed all the inhabitants of the country are fainthearted because of us.”

This was new to them. We don’t even know who the two spies were. They were nameless on purpose. It wasn’t important who went, it was important that they went and it was important for their own XPANSION.

What if they would have decided it was too big for them? What if they thought it was not “their” assignment? What if they said it should be given to someone else?

Imagine that they had never XPANDED like they did on this trip.

They would have never had their eyes opened first hand to the faithfulness of God. They would have never known that He had gone before them and prepared the way.

They would have not seen the fear in the enemy’s camp because of what their GREAT BIG GOD had already done to prove He was with them.

They would not have encountered a prostitute with faith in their God and for what He could do.

They would have never been a part of extending salvation to her through her accepting them as part of God’s chosen.

They would not have been able to release the promise of salvation to her and her family.

Then, the vision was XPANDING and a new day was dawning, and they began to MOVE FORWARD.

Joshua 3:1-3

1 Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and they set out from 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, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it.

They set out AS ONE, as they prepared to cross over.
After three days, their damaged faith was being revived.

What were the instructions? It is so wonderful! The Ark of the Covenant was to capture their attention.

The ark was where the Presence of God dwelt. And they knew it carried within it the 10 Commandments and the promises of obeying them. It carried the budding rod of Aaron representing authority and miraculous intervention. It also carried a pot of manna that proved the provision of God to His people.

These are truths that we still have today from our great BIG GOD.

We must look to the Presence of God to know the joy of what He has provided to us.

He is faithful to us. He is always available. He is on call as He calls to us to join Him in the journey.

Their unbelief and disobedience caused a big delay for 40 years! BUT their God had provided a Promised Land for them, nonetheless.

Joshua 3:4

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.

They could not be up close and personal with God yet, because Jesus hadn’t repaired that breach. Yet He led them and He loved them. And He was making a way for them to walk into the unknown.

They certainly had not been this way before. But they were about to experience some outrageous miraculous things as they became one in obedience.

And so are we! The Church of the Living God is coming together. Denominations are going to come together in unity for the love of Jesus will be our banner, and we will walk in a different way as we move towards our Promised Land of revival, personally and corporately.

There was still more to do, and instructions were given.

Joshua 3:5

And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”

Sanctify means to consecrate, dedicate, prepare, proclaim, and purify wholly.

Notice that they had to decide to be dedicated wholly to God, to consecrate themselves before Him.

It was a personal, as well as corporate, decision to consecrate themselves by devoting themselves irrevocably to the worship of God, to proclaim their love for Him!

Oh, the reward would be worth it! God was going to show up and do wonders among them.

If we would believe the Lord would show up and do wonders among us, how willing would we be to sanctify ourselves before Him? 

I believe that time is now.

Let’s ready ourselves to walk into the unknown with expectancy that He has already gone before us and prepared our way.

Joshua 3:6

Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the Ark of the Covenant and cross over before the people.”

PRAYER

Lord,

We come before You today with great expectancy of what You are going to do as we follow Your lead.

We want to take the time to make a holy decision before You to devote ourselves to You on a different level.

We are readying ourselves to see the miraculous and become a part of all You are doing. You have seen this day. You have prepared the way to a new day of walking in our inheritance that You have promised.

We are crying out to You to forgive our shortcomings. Forgive us for giving into the lies of the enemy that have caused delay.

We are arising with faith as we see our enemy tremble before You. You are OUR Great God and nothing is impossible for You!

Please begin to hand out our assignments and make it clear to us.

Shake out what needs to be shaken out of us and let us partner with Holy Spirit to walk in new ways as we cross over.

We love You and we are happy to be in Your army.

Amen.

WORSHIP VIDEOS

Harvest – Love You More

Bethel Music – Center