Today’s Words of Inspiration come from the book of Joshua, chapter three, verses 5 and 6.
And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify 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.” And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.
Joshua 3:5-6
If you’ve spent any time in a Sunday School classroom, you probably know the story of Moses parting the Red Sea so that the people of Israel could cross to the other side and escape the chariots of Egypt. You also probably know the story of Joshua at the battle of Jericho, where the army marched around the city for six days, then marched around the city seven times on the seventh day, made a loud commotion, and walls “came a-tumblin’ down”.
But the story you may not know is that somewhere between the Red Sea and the gates of Jericho, there’s another story of God parting the waters. Explore the third chapter of the book of Joshua and you’ll read the narrative of God parting the waters of the river Jordan so that the people of God could cross over on their way to Jericho. When the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord step into the water, a dam appears upstream and Israel crosses over.
In reading this story, I was struck by a verse that I had passed by so many times in the past. Isn’t it amazing how you can find new insights re-reading a familiar biblical narrative. In verse 5, Joshua announces to the people “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
I think I find great comfort in that verse. God calls the people to take a moment to separate themselves from the common things to focus in on the Lord. It’s as if God is telling them to open their eyes, their minds, and their hearts to the miracle that about to happen. Get yourselves ready, says the Lord, for if you liked what you seen in the past, you ain’t see nuthin’ yet.
In other words: You’re not gonna see the wonders of the Lord if you’re not looking for it.
If there was ever a call to daily prayer, to regular study of the Word of God, to taking care of neighbor, and being welcoming to the stranger, the verse “Sanctify yourselves; for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you” is that call.
Preparing ourselves daily for the presence and activity of God is how we’re able to see the miracles as clearly as the river parting in front of us. Sanctify yourselves because the Lord is doing miracles right now and you don’t want to miss it.
Let us pray,
Through the disciplines of prayer, reading, giving, and loving, prepare us to see and be a part of your miracles. Open our eyes, Lord. Amen.
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