Joshua 3:1-6
The Fulfillment of A Dream

The land that Israel was about to enter into was the land of their dreams, but it
had been a long time in coming.  According to \\#Ex 12:40\\ at least 400 years.
That is a long time to wait for a dream to come true, but they did because they
had no other choice.  And now, it is coming to pass.

Before it was their dream to have the land, it was God’s dream to give it to them.
So it is with God.  God desires to give to us, not the best things we can dream of,
but the best things He can dream up for us.

Then "Why," you might ask, "do we not have more and better things?"  I suppose
there are a lot of possible answers to that question but the best way to think of
it might be that we are still in that 400 year waiting period, but better things
are coming.  God’s dream for us will come to pass.

What kind of things does God dream for us?  I don’t know for certain, but I
imagine we might get some idea by looking at what God had dreamed for Israel.

    I. What kind of things does God dream for us?
        A. Well, no one can know for certain for once we have explored the depths
            of the Scripture and then added our imagination, we will not have
            scratched the surface of what is ahead for us.

1Co 2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that
love him.

        B. But I think the things God has in store for us will parallel the kinds
            of things God had for Israel.
            1. Land of Promise
                a. Everything God had promised Israel came to pass in the Promised
                    Land.

Jos 23:14  And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know
in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all
the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass
unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.

                b. God had promised Israel some pretty big blessings.
                    (1) God promised a harvest that would last up to 3 years.
                    (2) God promised a land free of pestilence and famine.
                    (3) God promised them the most powerful military on earth.
                c. That was just a few of the promises God had made, but Joshua
                    said that everyone of them came to pass!
                d. Every promise of God is true, including those that apply to
                    you.
                    (1) The promise of salvation
                    (2) The promise of forgiveness
                    (3) The promise of help, blessings, providence.
                e. These are the dreams that God has for you.
            2. Land of Victory
                a. Israel had to fight but the conclusion was predetermined.
                b. Israel was going to win the war and so are you.
                    (1) Sin is going down.
                         (a) Perhaps there are days when you think sin is going to
                              win.
                         (b) I tell you, it is not!
                         (c) God had dreamed a better dream for you than that.
                    (2) Satan is going down.
                    (3) Your own sinful nature is going down.
                         (a) One day, you will not even want to sin!
                         (b)
            3. Land of Rest - This was to be a land of peace, providence, and power
                for Israel.

   II. What will it take to make this dream a reality?
        A. Again, I don’t have all the answers, but I think there is a parallel in
            what the Jews did and what we must do.
            1. Spiritual Vision \\Joshua 3:3\\
                a. While I don’t see a command, I notice that the people were
                    expected to keep their eyes on the things of God.
                b. They were to watch the Ark of the Covenant.
                c. When it moved, they moved.  When it rested, they rested.
                d. Without spiritual sight, they would not be able to receive the
                    things God desired to give them.
            2. Spiritual visual is extremely important in order for God’s dreams
                to become our reality.
                a. Without this spiritual vision, we would never see anything God
                    has to offer.
                    (1) One does not get saved without spiritual vision.
                    (2) One does not change without spiritual vision.
                    (3) One does not begin to seek the lost without spiritual
                         vision.
                    (4) One does not surrender his life without spiritual vision.
                b. All of us are limited in what we can see spiritually by our
                    flesh and our will.
                    (1) Some never see the need for salvation.
                    (2) Some Christians never see the need for true change.
                    (3) Some never see the need to help the lost.
                    (4) Some never see the need to give their lives to the Lord.
                c. But with a willing heart, your vision can be greatly improved.
                    (1) You need to look for the spiritual passages in life.
                    (2) This world is deceptive and enticing but you know there
                         is more to life than this.
                    (3) If you do not look for the alternate paths, the spiritual
                         paths, you may lose your soul and you will lose the glory
                         of the life ahead.
                d. God has better for you.  Look for it.

   II. Preparation \\#Joshua 3:5\\
        A. These people were about to have a meeting with God where they were to
            receive their dreams.
            1. They needed to do some preparation.
            2. I think the parallel continues.
        B. They needed to so some cleaning up.
            1. They needed to put some sin away from them.
                a. I find it interesting that since before the children of Israel
                    had left Egypt, more than 40 years ago, God had been telling
                    them to put the sin away from them.

Ex 19:10  And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to
day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,

                b. The days before they are to receive God’s dream, He is still
                    having to tell them.
                    (1) By now, these people know that those old idols and lusts
                         are no good for them, but still they cling to them.
                    (2) Comfort?  Familiarity?  Security?  Sentimental value?
                c. Are there any parallels there?
                    (1) Sure there are.
                    (2) What sin are you holding to?
                    (3) Whatever it is, it is holding you back.  Keeping you from
                         God’s dream.
                    (4) To receive God’s dream you are going to have to quit
                         holding onto the sinful treasures of Egypt!
                    (5) Put it away from you tonight.
            2. They needed to focus on the Lord.
                a. Typically, before a major spiritual event occurred, God would
                    tell Israel to separate themselves from their mates, their
                    work, their pleasures, everything.
                b. Why?  To focus on Him.
                c. If you want to receive God’s dreams, you need to focus your
                    heart and mind on Him.

  III. Direction \\#Joshua 3:7-9\\
        A. To receive God’s dreams, we must get direction from God.
        B. Here is something very interesting to me.
            1. If you and I were on the river brink with Israel that day, we all
                would have probably thought we knew what God wanted.
            2. He had told us that our land lies on the other side of the river.
                that He has given it to us, and that we are going into it on the
                third day.
            3. We all get up, line up, and are standing on the river’s edge.
            4. What do you think God is going to tell them next?
            5. You WOULD think that God is going to tell them to cross over and
                get at it, but He does not.
            6. He tells them to STAND STILL!
            7. Now, Israel is going to cross the river and get the land, but not
                right now.  Right now, they are going to stand still for awhile.
            8. How would they know that?
            9. They would not if they were not getting their directions from God.
        C. If we are going to receive what God has dreamt for us, we are going to
            have to know His mind.
            1. We may have our vision set on the spiritual things, but knowing
                God’s mind is far more specific and personal than that.
            2. How do we get this kind of personal direction?
                a. Through the WORD, written or preached.
                b. Through the INNER VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, typically a burden
                    or some kind of understanding.
                c. And through some OPEN and CLOSED DOORS.

   IV. Obedience \\Joshua 3:14-16\\
        A. Then comes the last step, but the one that is most pivotal.  We must do
            what God tells us to do.
        B. We get a spiritual vision focused on the Lord;
            we get prepared and cleaned up;
            we get personal direction from the Lord;
            then we do what God is telling us to do.
        C. Some get so close then stop!
            1. This nation had been this close before!
            2. Forty years ago, they stood on a similar crossing but turned back.
            3. Obedience is that last step but it is mandatory.
        D. Go ahead and do it!  Do what God is telling you to do.
            1. Serve Him.
            2. Surrender to Him.
            3. Trust Him.
            4. Do whatever it is God tells you to do.
                a. You may not understand it completely today.
                b. You may not understand how it will work out.
                c. You may not think you can.
                d. You may not want to do it.
                e. But go forward!  God will bless you.

Almost twenty years ago, I wrote these words in regards to this text.  They are
still good advice today.
    Have you been burdened to witness? Find a crowd.
    Have you been called to teach?  Make a class.
    Have you been called to preach?  Build a ministry.
    Want to help the cause of righteousness? Jump into the fray.

God has dreamed a dream for you and you can have it, if you want it.

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