6to serve as a sign among you...

6to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’

7tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."

- P88

10Now the priests who carried the ark remained standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything the Lord had commanded Joshua was done by the people, just as Moses had directed Joshua. The people hurried over,

11and as soon as all of them had crossed, the ark of the Lord and the priests came to the other side while the people watched. - P89

10Now the priests who carried the ark remained standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything the Lord had commanded Joshua was done by the people, just as Moses had directed Joshua. The people hurried over,

11and as soon as all of them had crossed, the ark of the Lord and the priests came to the other side while the people watched.

- P89

12The men of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over, ready for battle, in front of the Israelites, as Moses had directed them.

13About forty thousand armed for battle crossed over before the Lord to the plains of Jericho for war.

14That day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they stood in awe of him all the days of his life, just as they had stood in awe of Moses.

- P89

The Lord tells Joshua to have twelve men take twelve stones from the Jordanto set up as a sign to future generations. Joshua sets up twelve stones fromthe middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests stood. That day, theLord exalted Joshua before the people and they stood in awe of him all thedays of his life. - P89

After Israel crosses the Jordan River on dry ground, God instructs Joshua toappoint twelve men, one from each tribe, to collect stones from the river-bed. These stones are to be set up as a memorial to help future generationsremember what God has done.  - P90

God knows our tendency to forget, so Heinvites us to establish markers of remembrance to help us remember actsof divine intervention that strengthen our faith. Remembering God‘s pastfaithfulness strengthens us in the present and fans our hope for the future.
- P90

While we may not build stone memorials today, we can create markers byjournaling or by telling others what God has done - P90

. Anniversaries are alsogreat ways to remind us of what God has done in the past. These remindershelp us and those around us-remember that God is faithful, powerful,
and present. This way, our faith is constantly strengthened, and God isglorified. - P90

Dear Jesus, thank you for being the cornerstone of the church and ourfamily. You are the solid rock on which our faith stands. Help us rememberYour love and care as we go about our day. In Your name, amen. - P91

10This is how you will know t...

10This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites.

11See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you.
l - P82

13And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap." - P82

15Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge,

16water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.

- P83

17The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.
- P83

Joshua explains to the people that as soon as the priests carrying the ark stepinto the Jordan, the waters will stop flowing. When the priests‘ feet touch thewater, the upstream flow stands in a heap, and the people cross over on dryground while the priests stand in the middle of the riverbed. - P83

After receiving God’s instructions, Joshua gathers the people to tell them God’s words regarding what they are about to witness: a miraculous affirmation that God is living and present among them. The same God who parted the Red Sea would now part the Jordan River for His people to cross. This act affirms God’s power to defeat the nations ahead and fulfill His promises to Israel. - P84

As we follow Christ, our path will not always be clear. We may even find obstacles where God leads us. - P84

But God’s Word is a sure and steady guide: It reminds us of His promises, recalls His past faithfulness, and assures us that He will continue to be with us and lead us. - P84

The people of Israel find themselves on the banks of a flooded Jordan River,
yet God had commanded them to cross it. They obey and make theirtoward the river. No sooner do the priests‘ feet touch the water than theupstream water stops and stands like a wall, allowing the entire nation tocross on dry ground.  - P84

Though not every act of obedience will result in such adramatic miracle, God always honors obedience.  - P84

When we step forward intrust and obedience, He makes a way even when it seems impossible.  - P84

Faithmeans trusting God‘s Word more than what our eyes see.  - P84

Just as the arkwent before the people of Israel, God‘s presence goes before us and openspaths we could never make for ourselves. - P84

Lord, thank you for Your living and unchanging Word. - P84

Help me to trust You even when the path seems uncertain. - P84

Teach me to obey without hesitation, knowing You are faithful to lead me and to fulfill every promise You have made. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P84

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do notbe discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
- Joshua 1:9 - P85

1Early in the morning Joshua ...

1Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. - P78

3giving orders to the people: "When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.

4Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it." - P78

7
And the Lord said to Joshua, "Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses.
8
Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’" - P79

Joshua and the Israelites set out and camp near the Jordan. The officers tellthe people to follow the ark of the covenant but keep at a distance from it.
Joshua tells them to consecrate themselves because the Lord will do wondersamong them. The priests are to carry the ark and stand in the Jordan River. - P79

Israel stands at the edge of a major transition. After forty years of wandering in the desert, they are about to enter the promised land. But before stepping into this new season, they must carefully follow God’s instructions. The priests carrying the ark of the covenant—the symbol of God’s presence—are to go ahead, leading the people through unfamiliar territory. - P80

New seasons often come with uncertainties. But when God leads us, we are never alone. He goes before us, preparing the way. - P80

Whether it is a new calling, changes in our relationships or ministry, or a season of growth, the key is to keep our eyes on God’s presence. Just like Israel, we are invited to trust and follow Him. - P80

As Israel prepares to enter the promised land, Joshua calls the people to consecrate themselves. This act of setting themselves apart-through ceremo-nial washing and likely abstaining from marital intimacy-was a physicalexpression of spiritual readiness.  - P80

Joshua also instructs the priests to carry theark of the covenant ahead of the people, which signifies that God‘s presencewould lead the way. In the midst of this, God promises to exalt Joshuabefore the people, affirming his leadership.  - P80

When God is about to lead usinto something new, He never leaves us to handle the change on our own.
He invites us to prepare ourselves spiritually and as we obey His calling, Healso affirms and equips us. - P80

The truth is, God doesn‘talways show us what is next. Instead, He invites us to trust Him, step bystep, with faith and obedience as we follow HHis lead. - P81

If you are standing at a crossroads or facing a tough decision, be encour-aged. God is already ahead of you, preparing the way. You don‘t need to seethe whole staircase, you just need to trust Him with the next step. - P81

Lord, thank you for the seasons You ordain in my life. As I step into what is new and unfamiliar, help me to keep my eyes on You. - P81

Guide me with Your Spirit and give me the strength to trust You every step of the way. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. - P81

16She said to them, ˝Go to th...

16She said to them, "Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way." - P74

21"Agreed," she replied. "Let it be as you say." So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window. - P75

24They said to Joshua, "The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us." - P75

Rahab lowers the spies by a scarlet cord through her window and advisesthem to hide for three days in the hills. They instruct her to tie the scarlet cordin her window and to keep her family inside the house. They hide, then returnto Joshua and report that the Lord has given the whole land into their hands. - P75

After Rahab helps them escape, the spies reiterate the oath they made to protect her and her household during the coming attack on Jericho. However, this promise is conditional: she must tie a scarlet cord in the window and ensure that her family stays inside her house. The scarlet cord becomes a symbol of Rahab’s faith and obedience. - P76

In many ways, it prefigures the blood of Christ that marks and saves believers today. God’s promises are sure, but they require a response of faithfulness and obedience. - P76

Rahab’s act of trust secured her deliverance. - P76

In the same way, our salvation through Christ calls us to remain steadfast in our faith, live by His Word, and point others to His saving grace. - P76

Following Rahab‘s instructions, the two spies hide for three days in themountains before returning to Joshua. Upon their return, they share anencouraging report—that God has already given Jericho into Israel‘s hands.
- P76

Their confidence stems not from Israel‘s military strength, but from whatthey witnessed: Jericho‘s people are in dread of God‘s power. Their fear isevidence that God is at work.  - P76

The spies‘ report is brimming with assuranceand their faith is strengthened through experience and signs of God‘s providence.  - P76

In our walk with God, we too can look for indicators of His faith-fulness. Whether through His Word, answered prayers, or the testimony ofothers, God continually reassures us that He is going ahead of us. - P76

One of the most amazing things about God is that He does not only chooseus despite our flaws; He often chooses us because of them. You have prob-ably heard it said before that God turns our mess into our message and ourtrials into our testimony. Paul records Jesus‘ words to him in 2 Corinthians12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weak-ness." In other words, God uses our shortcomings to reveal His strength andaccomplish what we could never have managed on our own.
- P77

Rahab is a beautiful example of this truth. Though society rejected anddismissed her, God chose her to play a significant role in His redemptivestory, even placing her in the very genealogy of Jesus. So, the next time youdoubt yourself and think that your past mistakes are preventing you frombeing useful for the Lord‘s kingdom, think again.  - P77

God uses those we leastmo expect in order to show Himself mighty and accomplish His perfect willhere on earth. - P77

Lord, thank you for Your promise of salvation. Help me to live in obedience, trusting You even when the future seems uncertain. - P77

May my life be marked by faith, and may I lead others to the hope found in Jesus Christ alone. In His name I pray, amen. - P77

8Before the spies lay down fo...

8Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof

9and said to them, "I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you.

10We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed.

11When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.

- P70

12"Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign

- P71

13that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death."

14"Our lives for your lives!" the men assured her. "If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land."

- P71

Rahab tells the spies she knows the Lord has given them the land. She tellsthem that Jericho has heard how God dried up the Red Sea and how Israeldefeated two Amorite kings, and everyone is afraid. In return for helping them,
Rahab asks the spies to spare her and her family. The spies promise to do so. - P71

Rahab tells the spies that news has already reached Jericho of how God defeated the Egyptians and the Amorites before the Israelites and fear has seized the city. But while the rest of Jericho remains in their fear, Rahab chooses to place her trust in the God of Israel. - P72

She realizes that if the Almighty God becomes her God, she has no reason to fear. - P72

As the church, our calling is to show the world what it looks like to be led by a faithful God. As we live this out, the news of God’s power and His goodness toward us will spread. - P72

Our hope is that others, like Rahab, will let down their defenses and come to trust in Him for themselves. - P72

Rahab asks the spies to show the same kindness she showed them by spar-ing her and her family when the city is taken. The spies promise her thatas long as she keeps their secret, neither she nor her family has anythingto fear. Rahab takes a risk by trusting the spies to return her kindness.  - P72

Sheplaces her trust not only in them, but ultimately in the faithful character oftheir God. In a world where kindness feels risky and uncertain, Scriptureassures us that God sees and honors acts of faith and compassion.  - P72

Christshowed us kindness by rescuing us from condemnation when we were yetHis enemies. Let us follow His example by being eager to show kindness toothers whenever we have the opportunity.
us - P72

Dear God, thank you for the goodness and mercy You have shown Your people. Help me not to take Your kindness for granted and lead me in showing the same kindness to others. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P73

Our passage reveals that there are people who have heard glimpses of God‘s savingacts and long to live under His blessing. Let us read the Mission Frontier articleand pray for the missionaries we know, asking that they be fully used by God inHis purpose. - P73