Joshua 4Part 3 Our Unchanging God

Joshua 4:15-24
I can never do anything the same way twice. I have always admired people who can establish and maintain a routine over an extended period of time. Usually I am lucky if I can return from a destination by the same route I took to get there. God however never changes. His core principles of salvation and deliverance have always been the same. While they may look different at different times and under different circumstances, His power and salvation are always the same. He uses the same method of proving Himself to Joshua and the Israelites here that He had used with the generation from over 40 years earlier when He led the people out of Egypt. And just in case we might miss the connection God spells it out for us in Joshua 4:23, “as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea,” which reminds us that God saves one generation like He saved the previous one. By His unimaginable power as they follow Him in faith. That generation had to walk across a dry sea bed to get to safety, this one had to walk across a dry river bed to take their land God had provided.
‌
The unchanging God is able to save His people to the uttermost regardless of the challenges we face, as we follow Him, trusting His direction and guidance. Whether we are facing a giant like Goliath, a worldwide flood as in Noah’s day, an entire Sea or a flooded river, the remedy remains the same, trust God. This is true even for our greatest of needs, forgiveness of our sins. It is breathtaking when we realize all of these amazing feats of God’s power in the Bible are but a small taste of the sheer awesomeness and strength we see exhibited in what Jesus accomplished for us on Mt. Calvary. There is nothing too great for God to handle. If He could dry up the Jordan, if He could rise from the dead, then surely He can handle the situation you are facing on this cold Wednesday morning.
‌
When Jesus died and rose again He proved Himself more powerful than the greatest foe any of our race has ever faced. Death itself was no match for the Lord of glory. The One who took upon Himself the flood of our sins and pushed them all the way out of. the way for us. Christ not only offers us forgiveness for our sins, He gives us a life of eternal value and length by dying and rising again on the third day. We have been given part in the greatest miracle the universe will ever experience.
‌
In order to describe the immensity of the miracle that takes place each time a person believes Paul the great Apostle had to reference the day of creation itself. When he wanted to give an illustration of what takes place at the moment of salvation, Paul said this, “For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6. Just as there was only darkness before God spoke light into existence, there was only darkness in our hearts previous to the light of the gospel of Jesus entering in. The same power that caused light to pierce the darkness of the physical world, causes spiritual light to fill our lightless souls.
‌
Do not discount the miracle of salvation God has worked in our heart this Wednesday morning. Take time to praise Him for this great work. Spend time sharing it with others. If you are able to, I encourage you to join with your church family to pray, praise and study His word together this evening. I know we would love to have you at PLMBC!