3/15/2021 Josua 4:19-24

“Bury my old self in the Jordan”

SCRIPTURE

Joshua 4:24. He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.

OBSERVATION

Summary
The Israelites came out of the Jordan and set up twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan River to commemorate them, and Joshua explains the meaning of setting up the stones.

Who is God
• God is strong and mighty
• God wants us and our children to remember the great wonders God has done in the past.

APPLICATION

Joshua set up twelve stones that they had taken out of Jordan River in Gilgal and told the Israelites to remember the mighty and strong God who cut off the Jordan in the past will do great things for us, too. Remembering what God did in the past strengthens our faith. All the people of Israel’s complaints, or distrust, stemmed from their failure to remember God’s faithfulness that keeps His promises. On the other hand, one of the best ways to improve our faith is to remember all God has done in the past. When you rely on God’s mighty hands, the Jordan River can not be a problem.

Joshua also told the Israelites to fear God forever as they remember the miracle of crossing the Jordan. The crossing the Jordan can be compared to that of crossing the Red Sea. 1 Cor. Chapter 10 compares crossing the Red Sea to baptism. Then, crossing the Jordan also can be referred to as baptism. Baptism means to bury our old selves in the water and come out of the water with a life of resurrection. In other words, the twelve stones of the Jordan River symbolizes the burial of our old selves in the Jordan River and the new life of resurrection. In other words, we must remember that our old selves died as we become believers, and now we have a new life reborn in Jesus Christ. I should deny my old self as if I were buried in the Jordan River. Think of the metaphor of a prodigal son. While working at his father’s house, the older son complained and was disappointed and angry because he compared himself with his younger brother, who led a debauchery life, yet received better things from his father than the older one. I want to examine myself to see if there is ‘elder son syndrome’ within me.

• Sin to void: I repent of my old self which still alive.
• Promise to hold: God makes us overcome the impossible.
• Action to take place: crucify the old self that remains in me.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, I repent that I find ‘the elder son’ within me. I repent that sometimes I was more interested in God’s praise and recognition than your presence as a full-time minister for you like the older son. I want to nail all my weaknesses on the cross as if they were buried in the Jordan River. I decide to serve you and your people with joy because I love you more than people’s recognition. May the life of a resurrection revive within me so that I can lead my life more joyful, grateful, and triumphant in the Lord. Amen.