TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY JULY 2, 2015.
ANTICIPATION
To expect or look forward to; to feel or realize beforehand.
Joshua told the people: Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you. Joshua 3:4.
In chapter three of Joshua, the verse we used above, Israel was standing on the edge of the Jordan River in anticipation of entering the Promised Land. Just think what many were thinking, but basically they were all wondering how all these people, two million, were going to get across this river.
For forty years God caused them to wander in the wilderness as punishment for their sins. Finally, a new generation was ready to enter the Promised Land; however, there was one major obstacle. It was the Jordan River where the banks were overflowing because of the spring rains. Just think of the mixed emotions that went through each person’s mind and the anticipation of what tomorrow would bring.
God always has a plan for carrying out His promises. God instructed Moses what to do to solve the problem. The priests that were carrying the Ark of the Covenant were told to stand at the edge of the Jordan River. Can you imagine the emotions that Moses had? He had led the Children of Israel right to the edge of the Promised Land. He was sure God was leading him but that emotion of anticipation had to make him think -- What if?
As soon as the Priests feet touched the water, the waters parted. Then the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant were standing on dry land in the middle of the river. Have you ever wondered about the anticipation the Priests had waiting to see what God was going to do. And then the anticipation if the parted waters would stay parted for two million people to cross into the Promised Land. This will take days and those Priests in the middle of the river on dry land must have counted the hours.
The anticipation of doing something new or dangerous is often accompanied by an element of fear. Those Priests stepped out into the raging waters by faith and look what the Lord did.
The Lord has given us so many examples in the scripture to let us know that if we put our trust in Him our anticipation of concern will pass away. What kind of anticipation did Noah go through building an ark in the desert and then waiting for it to rain? What do you think the anticipation level was for David as he walked out to meet the giant Goliath with 5 stones and a sling shot?
What about the anticipation felt by the disciples as they watched Jesus die on the cross? The disciples were sure that Jesus had come to earth to set up His kingdom and the crucifixion of Jesus by the Romans dashed all of their hopes.
We all run into obstacles in life that raises our anticipation level. This is because we usually anticipate the worst. These obstacles stand between us and God. In order for God to help us get around these obstacles we must trust Him and not let our negative anticipation govern our emotions. We must trust God and learn to step out by faith just as Moses, Noah, David and the disciples did and do what God calls us to do.
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Help me, dear Lord, to anticipate receiving direction from God. Help me to overcome the obstacles in my life that stand between me and You by trusting in You and being obedient to Your will for my life. Use me to do amazing things that will bring honor and glory to You.
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