Thoughts As We Enter Into a New Year

Every December 31 I read Joshua 3.  As you might remember, this is the account of the preparation of the people of Israel for crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land.  After forty long years of wandering in the deserts and wastelands, they were finally nearing the end of the journey.  Few of those who were encamped along the eastern shores of the Jordan River remembered the mighty power of God in bringing their fathers and grandfathers out from Egypt.  Oh, they had heard the stories of the crossing of the Red Sea, but most could not remember that momentous occasion. 


Let me share with you just a few verses from the beginning of Joshua 3: "Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over.  After three days the officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the people: 'When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, 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 a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it.'"


Within the camp of Israel, only two individuals had been to the Promised Land before: Caleb and Joshua.  The multitude had only heard stories.  But there were a few things that the people did know: the land was dotted with large, well-fortified cities; the people living in the land were well-prepared to defend their homes; and the land was abundantly prosperous.  To enter into this vast Promised Land would be foolish for Israel to attempt on its own.  But, that is just it: Israel was not entering into the land alone.  God had promised that He would go before them.  God had promised that He would drive the Canaanites and the other inhabitants from the land.  It was true that Israel had never been that way before, but God had. 


Notice the warning in the last part of verse 4: "But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it."  There are two inherent dangers described here.  First, there is the danger of running ahead of God's plan and direction.  God knew the excitement among the people.  They had waited a long time for this day to occur.  And there was the danger that, in their excitement, they would simply dash across that river and attempt to gain control of the land in their own strength.  Friends, there is a danger that, as we enter into a new year, we might choose to run ahead of God's plans for our lives, for our families, for our churches.  When one runs ahead of God only bad things can happen.  One loses direction.  One loses a confident hope.  Instead of joy, anxiety crashes in.  God's word to Israel was - "Don't run ahead of Me."  That is also His word to us as we enter into 2015.


But there was a second danger inherent in that verse: It is the danger of lagging too far behind.  Did you get what God said to the people: Stay behind, but not too far behind Me.  Oh the dangers that come when we choose to lag behind.  We lose our way and we struggle to find it once again.  When the way is lost, fears set in.  God's word to Israel was - "Don't lag too far behind.  Keep me in constant view."  That is also His word to us as we enter into 2015.


Friends, we do not know what 2015 will bring, but we do have some ideas.  The world will continue to experience a lack of peace and the sounds of war will echo from many corners of the world.  Natural disasters will abound with ever increasing fury, destroying lives and property with little abandon.  Immorality will continue to become emboldened as nations and peoples abandon those eternal, godly principles upon which Western civilization was founded.  We know these will happen because this world is still under the curse. 


But, here is the great news: God goes before us.  He will show us the way.  He may choose to lead us through those trials, but He may choose not to as well.  I am reminded of those amazing words of faith from the lips of Daniel's three friends to a very angry king: "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.  But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up" (Daniel 3:17-18).


As we enter into a new year, I want to be committed to having God lead the way in my life, in my home, in my family, and in my church.  Lord, keep me from running ahead with all my plans and dreams and aspirations.  And keep me from lagging behind because of a lack of faith and trust.  Drive me deeper into Your Word so that I can see more clearly the direction you would have me to go.  Then, Lord, cause me to have the desire to be obedient to that direction. 


Friends, 2015 just might be the year our Messiah returns.  Let's prepare ourselves for His arrival by keeping our eye upon Him and doing His will in this dark, sin-filled world.