Joshua 3: The Morning Before the Miracle Can't Be Overlooked

Welcome to Chapter by Chapter, a Welcome to Chapter by Chapter, a four-year journey through the greatest four-year journey through the greatest four-year journey through the greatest book given to the human race, the word book given to the human race, the word book given to the human race, the word of God, the Bible. We get to go through of God, the Bible. We get to go through of God, the Bible. We get to go through it chapter by chapter. Seven minutes a it chapter by chapter. Seven minutes a it chapter by chapter. Seven minutes a day and seven days a week. Join us each day and seven days a week. Join us each day and seven days a week. Join us each day and share it with others so they day and share it with others so they day and share it with others so they could join this journey that will be could join this journey that will be could join this journey that will be life-changing. We'll stop in unexpected life-changing. We'll stop in unexpected life-changing. We'll stop in unexpected places on the journey and be challenged. places on the journey and be challenged. places on the journey and be challenged. Some verses will create awe and wonder, Some verses will create awe and wonder, Some verses will create awe and wonder, and we'll have chapters that will be and we'll have chapters that will be and we'll have chapters that will be instructive and in others we'll find joy instructive and in others we'll find joy instructive and in others we'll find joy and comfort. We'll occasionally be and comfort. We'll occasionally be and comfort. We'll occasionally be convicted and want to change, but all in convicted and want to change, but all in convicted and want to change, but all in all, the journey will be worth it. Once all, the journey will be worth it. Once all, the journey will be worth it. Once in a while, we may take a detour on the in a while, we may take a detour on the in a while, we may take a detour on the journey and hear from some of God's journey and hear from some of God's journey and hear from some of God's servants on their favorite passages from servants on their favorite passages from servants on their favorite passages from a chapter of scripture and let them give a chapter of scripture and let them give a chapter of scripture and let them give you their insight. Every journey needs a you their insight. Every journey needs a you their insight. Every journey needs a small detour occasionally. Best way to small detour occasionally. Best way to small detour occasionally. Best way to get the most from this podcast is read get the most from this podcast is read get the most from this podcast is read the chapter we're discussing before or the chapter we're discussing before or the chapter we're discussing before or after. It's his word that transforms. after. It's his word that transforms. after. It's his word that transforms. You'll find more and see more than I can You'll find more and see more than I can You'll find more and see more than I can ever articulate. Welcome to Chapter by ever articulate. Welcome to Chapter by ever articulate. Welcome to Chapter by Chapter and today's chapter is Joshua 3. Chapter and today's chapter is Joshua 3. Chapter and today's chapter is Joshua 3. The morning before the miracle can't be The morning before the miracle can't be The morning before the miracle can't be overlooked. overlooked. overlooked. A few years ago, an article in the Wall A few years ago, an article in the Wall A few years ago, an article in the Wall Street Journal caught my attention. It Street Journal caught my attention. It Street Journal caught my attention. It was titled, "When General George Patton was titled, "When General George Patton was titled, "When General George Patton Called on God." The commander had Called on God." The commander had Called on God." The commander had 250,000 250,000 250,000 prayer cards distributed before the prayer cards distributed before the prayer cards distributed before the Battle of the Bulge. Writer Alex Kershaw Battle of the Bulge. Writer Alex Kershaw Battle of the Bulge. Writer Alex Kershaw said this, "Over 80 years ago, with the said this, "Over 80 years ago, with the said this, "Over 80 years ago, with the Allies stalled at Germany's western Allies stalled at Germany's western Allies stalled at Germany's western frontier, another bloody winter loomed.

frontier, another bloody winter loomed. frontier, another bloody winter loomed. Even the usually ebullient General Even the usually ebullient General Even the usually ebullient General George Patton, commander of the US Third George Patton, commander of the US Third George Patton, commander of the US Third Army, was in a funk. His forces, which Army, was in a funk. His forces, which Army, was in a funk. His forces, which had slashed across France months had slashed across France months had slashed across France months earlier, were suffering and stuck in the earlier, were suffering and stuck in the earlier, were suffering and stuck in the mud. On December 8th, an exasperated mud. On December 8th, an exasperated mud. On December 8th, an exasperated Patton asked his chief chaplain, James Patton asked his chief chaplain, James Patton asked his chief chaplain, James O'Neal, to compose a prayer for good O'Neal, to compose a prayer for good O'Neal, to compose a prayer for good weather. He ordered 250,000 weather. He ordered 250,000 weather. He ordered 250,000 copies to be distributed to every man in copies to be distributed to every man in copies to be distributed to every man in the Third Army. By December 14th, prayer the Third Army. By December 14th, prayer the Third Army. By December 14th, prayer cards were scattered among more than 20 cards were scattered among more than 20 cards were scattered among more than 20 divisions. The timing was perfect. Two divisions. The timing was perfect. Two divisions. The timing was perfect. Two days later, the Germans began a days later, the Germans began a days later, the Germans began a terrifying barrage of Allied lines the terrifying barrage of Allied lines the terrifying barrage of Allied lines the densely forested Ardennes making the densely forested Ardennes making the densely forested Ardennes making the opening salvos of World War II's opening salvos of World War II's opening salvos of World War II's deadliest campaign, the Battle of the deadliest campaign, the Battle of the deadliest campaign, the Battle of the Bulge. Hitler's aim was to split Allied Bulge. Hitler's aim was to split Allied Bulge. Hitler's aim was to split Allied forces, reach the port of Antwerp, and forces, reach the port of Antwerp, and forces, reach the port of Antwerp, and perhaps force a negotiated end to the perhaps force a negotiated end to the perhaps force a negotiated end to the war on the Western Front. The ensuing war on the Western Front. The ensuing war on the Western Front. The ensuing fight would cost the US some 19,000 men, fight would cost the US some 19,000 men, fight would cost the US some 19,000 men, would wound nearly 50,000. As they would wound nearly 50,000. As they would wound nearly 50,000. As they battled amid atrocious conditions, many battled amid atrocious conditions, many battled amid atrocious conditions, many in summer clothing, the young Americans in summer clothing, the young Americans in summer clothing, the young Americans needed something to hold on to besides a needed something to hold on to besides a needed something to hold on to besides a rifle or a friend in a foxhole.

rifle or a friend in a foxhole. rifle or a friend in a foxhole. According to surveys from the US Army's According to surveys from the US Army's According to surveys from the US Army's Information and Education Division, Information and Education Division, Information and Education Division, almost three-quarters of US soldiers almost three-quarters of US soldiers almost three-quarters of US soldiers turned to prayer in especially turned to prayer in especially turned to prayer in especially frightening combat. Faith mattered to frightening combat. Faith mattered to frightening combat. Faith mattered to men confronting death. Patton instructed men confronting death. Patton instructed men confronting death. Patton instructed his men, "Pray when you're driving. Pray his men, "Pray when you're driving. Pray his men, "Pray when you're driving. Pray when fighting. Pray when you're alone. when fighting. Pray when you're alone. when fighting. Pray when you're alone. Pray with others. Pray by night and pray Pray with others. Pray by night and pray Pray with others. Pray by night and pray by day." He believed the Third Army's by day." He believed the Third Army's by day." He believed the Third Army's nearly 500 chaplains, representing 32 nearly 500 chaplains, representing 32 nearly 500 chaplains, representing 32 denominations, were as critical to denominations, were as critical to denominations, were as critical to victory as his tank commanders. The victory as his tank commanders. The victory as his tank commanders. The Patton for the promised land was Joshua. Patton for the promised land was Joshua. Patton for the promised land was Joshua. Something started to become very Something started to become very Something started to become very familiar throughout the Book of forces had a daily habit that maybe Patton took had a daily habit that maybe Patton took a page from Joshua's strategy book. a page from Joshua's strategy book. a page from Joshua's strategy book. Joshua, chapter 3 is about another body Joshua, chapter 3 is about another body Joshua, chapter 3 is about another body of water opening up for the children of of water opening up for the children of of water opening up for the children of Israel to pass through. Israel to pass through. Israel to pass through. The first to split in two was the Red The first to split in two was the Red The first to split in two was the Red Sea so they could flee from the Sea so they could flee from the Sea so they could flee from the Egyptians. The Jordan River will be Egyptians. The Jordan River will be Egyptians. The Jordan River will be different. This dividing of the waters different. This dividing of the waters different. This dividing of the waters would be so they could commence into a would be so they could commence into a would be so they could commence into a new season of battles. God would use new season of battles. God would use new season of battles. God would use Moses for the Red Sea and now Joshua for Moses for the Red Sea and now Joshua for Moses for the Red Sea and now Joshua for the Jordan. This crossing had some other the Jordan. This crossing had some other the Jordan. This crossing had some other unique characteristics to it. The unique characteristics to it. The unique characteristics to it. The priests would go in first and the ark of priests would go in first and the ark of priests would go in first and the ark of the covenant would accompany them.

the covenant would accompany them. the covenant would accompany them. They both would stand in the middle of They both would stand in the middle of They both would stand in the middle of the miracle till the whole nation the miracle till the whole nation the miracle till the whole nation crossed over. Listen to Joshua 3:15. And crossed over. Listen to Joshua 3:15. And crossed over. Listen to Joshua 3:15. And when those who carried the ark came into when those who carried the ark came into when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan and the feet of the priests the Jordan and the feet of the priests the Jordan and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped into the carrying the ark were dipped into the carrying the ark were dipped into the edge of the water for the Jordan edge of the water for the Jordan edge of the water for the Jordan overflows all of its banks all the days overflows all of its banks all the days overflows all of its banks all the days of the harvest. The waters which were of the harvest. The waters which were of the harvest. The waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose flowing down from above stood and rose flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap a great distance away at up in one heap a great distance away at up in one heap a great distance away at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan. Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan. Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan. And those which were flowing down toward And those which were flowing down toward And those which were flowing down toward the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off so the people were completely cut off so the people were completely cut off so the people crossed opposite Jericho. And the priest crossed opposite Jericho. And the priest crossed opposite Jericho. And the priest who carried the ark of the covenant of who carried the ark of the covenant of who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all of Israel middle of the Jordan while all of Israel middle of the Jordan while all of Israel crossed on dry ground until the nation crossed on dry ground until the nation crossed on dry ground until the nation had finished crossing the Jordan. The had finished crossing the Jordan. The had finished crossing the Jordan. The miracle splitting of the waters captures miracle splitting of the waters captures miracle splitting of the waters captures our attention. What captured mine our attention. What captured mine our attention. What captured mine was what happened before the miracle. was what happened before the miracle. was what happened before the miracle. It seemed to happen every time before a It seemed to happen every time before a It seemed to happen every time before a miracle. Joshua is seen to be an early miracle. Joshua is seen to be an early miracle. Joshua is seen to be an early riser. His military career starts with riser. His military career starts with riser. His military career starts with these words, Joshua 3:1. Then Joshua these words, Joshua 3:1. Then Joshua these words, Joshua 3:1. Then Joshua rose early in the morning and he and all rose early in the morning and he and all rose early in the morning and he and all the sons of Israel set out from Shittim the sons of Israel set out from Shittim the sons of Israel set out from Shittim and came to the Jordan and they lodged and came to the Jordan and they lodged and came to the Jordan and they lodged there crossed. Joshua getting up early there crossed. Joshua getting up early there crossed. Joshua getting up early seemed to be his habit. When you read seemed to be his habit. When you read seemed to be his habit. When you read throughout the Bible about this, it throughout the Bible about this, it throughout the Bible about this, it seems this means prayer.

seems this means prayer. seems this means prayer. The psalmist speaks about the morning The psalmist speaks about the morning The psalmist speaks about the morning watches of prayer. He says in Psalm 5:3, watches of prayer. He says in Psalm 5:3, watches of prayer. He says in Psalm 5:3, "In the morning, oh Lord, you will hear "In the morning, oh Lord, you will hear "In the morning, oh Lord, you will hear my voice. In the morning I will order my my voice. In the morning I will order my my voice. In the morning I will order my prayer to you and eagerly watch." He prayer to you and eagerly watch." He prayer to you and eagerly watch." He says it again in Psalm 143:8, "Let me says it again in Psalm 143:8, "Let me says it again in Psalm 143:8, "Let me hear your loving kindness in the morning hear your loving kindness in the morning hear your loving kindness in the morning for I trust in you. Teach me the way in for I trust in you. Teach me the way in for I trust in you. Teach me the way in which I should walk, for to you I lift which I should walk, for to you I lift which I should walk, for to you I lift up my soul. up my soul. up my soul. Throughout the Psalms, the morning Throughout the Psalms, the morning Throughout the Psalms, the morning seemed to be prayer, the voice of God seemed to be prayer, the voice of God seemed to be prayer, the voice of God and direction. Joshua got it, and Joshua and direction. Joshua got it, and Joshua and direction. Joshua got it, and Joshua did it. Corrie ten Boom said, "Don't did it. Corrie ten Boom said, "Don't did it. Corrie ten Boom said, "Don't pray when you feel like it. Have an pray when you feel like it. Have an pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it." appointment with the Lord and keep it." appointment with the Lord and keep it." Joshua had an appointment with God. Joshua had an appointment with God. Joshua had an appointment with God. And it happened again in Joshua 6:12. And it happened again in Joshua 6:12. And it happened again in Joshua 6:12. Now, Joshua rose early in the morning, Now, Joshua rose early in the morning, Now, Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of God. and the priests took up the ark of God. and the priests took up the ark of God. And again in Joshua 7:16, so Joshua rose And again in Joshua 7:16, so Joshua rose And again in Joshua 7:16, so Joshua rose early in the morning and brought Israel early in the morning and brought Israel early in the morning and brought Israel nearby tribes, and the tribe of Judah nearby tribes, and the tribe of Judah nearby tribes, and the tribe of Judah was taken. And you read it again in was taken. And you read it again in was taken. And you read it again in Joshua 8:10. Now, Joshua rose early in Joshua 8:10. Now, Joshua rose early in Joshua 8:10. Now, Joshua rose early in the morning and mustered the people, and the morning and mustered the people, and the morning and mustered the people, and he went up with the elders of Israel he went up with the elders of Israel he went up with the elders of Israel before the people to Ai. All of these before the people to Ai. All of these before the people to Ai. All of these morning appointments were at critical morning appointments were at critical morning appointments were at critical times. Joshua rose early to cross the times. Joshua rose early to cross the times. Joshua rose early to cross the Jordan in chapter 3. Joshua rose early Jordan in chapter 3. Joshua rose early Jordan in chapter 3. Joshua rose early to fight Jericho in chapter 6. Joshua to fight Jericho in chapter 6. Joshua to fight Jericho in chapter 6. Joshua rose early to find Achan in the camp in rose early to find Achan in the camp in rose early to find Achan in the camp in chapter 7. Joshua rose early to fight Ai chapter 7. Joshua rose early to fight Ai chapter 7. Joshua rose early to fight Ai in chapter 8. At his most difficult in chapter 8. At his most difficult in chapter 8. At his most difficult times in leading our nation, President times in leading our nation, President times in leading our nation, President Lincoln said, "I've been driven many Lincoln said, "I've been driven many Lincoln said, "I've been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming times to my knees by the overwhelming times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to conviction that I had nowhere else to conviction that I had nowhere else to go.

go. go. My own wisdom My own wisdom My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed and that of all about me seemed and that of all about me seemed insufficient for the day." Joshua has an insufficient for the day." Joshua has an insufficient for the day." Joshua has an appointment because he realizes he has appointment because he realizes he has appointment because he realizes he has nowhere else to go. nowhere else to go. nowhere else to go. The miracles of exposing sin, opening up The miracles of exposing sin, opening up The miracles of exposing sin, opening up a river, bringing down walls, and giving a river, bringing down walls, and giving a river, bringing down walls, and giving victory didn't happen without a kneeling victory didn't happen without a kneeling victory didn't happen without a kneeling figure in the background. Joshua rose up figure in the background. Joshua rose up figure in the background. Joshua rose up early. early. early. For those that might not know, the name For those that might not know, the name For those that might not know, the name Jesus comes from the Hebrew name Joshua, Jesus comes from the Hebrew name Joshua, Jesus comes from the Hebrew name Joshua, Yeshua. It means Yah, a shortened form Yeshua. It means Yah, a shortened form Yeshua. It means Yah, a shortened form of Yahweh, and Shua meaning to rescue, of Yahweh, and Shua meaning to rescue, of Yahweh, and Shua meaning to rescue, deliver, or save, meaning God delivers, deliver, or save, meaning God delivers, deliver, or save, meaning God delivers, God saves. Joshua knew where deliverance God saves. Joshua knew where deliverance God saves. Joshua knew where deliverance came from. Our Joshua, Jesus, would do came from. Our Joshua, Jesus, would do came from. Our Joshua, Jesus, would do the same. No wonder there was so many the same. No wonder there was so many the same. No wonder there was so many miracles. Remember Mark 1:35? In the miracles. Remember Mark 1:35? In the miracles. Remember Mark 1:35? In the early morning, while it was still dark, early morning, while it was still dark, early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went Jesus got up, left the house, and went Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was away to a secluded place, and was away to a secluded place, and was praying there. praying there. praying there. I am not a legalist that says prayer I am not a legalist that says prayer I am not a legalist that says prayer must happen in the morning, but must happen in the morning, but must happen in the morning, but something seems to happen when Joshua something seems to happen when Joshua something seems to happen when Joshua and Jesus rise up early.

and Jesus rise up early. and Jesus rise up early. The morning before the miracle can't be The morning before the miracle can't be The morning before the miracle can't be overlooked. It was said that every overlooked. It was said that every overlooked. It was said that every revival in history always had a kneeling revival in history always had a kneeling revival in history always had a kneeling figure looming in the background. Prayer figure looming in the background. Prayer figure looming in the background. Prayer sent the awakening. You will see the sent the awakening. You will see the sent the awakening. You will see the looming kneeling figure throughout the looming kneeling figure throughout the looming kneeling figure throughout the book of Joshua. Keep your eyes attentive book of Joshua. Keep your eyes attentive book of Joshua. Keep your eyes attentive to rose early in the morning to rose early in the morning to rose early in the morning because something great is about to because something great is about to because something great is about to happen next. happen next. happen next. Thank you for joining Chapter by Thank you for joining Chapter by Thank you for joining Chapter by Chapter. Every chapter from the greatest Chapter. Every chapter from the greatest Chapter. Every chapter from the greatest book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see you tomorrow.