In the Old Testament, the book of Joshua 3 records the event of the Levites, God’s priests, carrying out God’s instructions to lead the second generation of Israelites into the Promised Land. As the priests carrying the ark of the covenant touched the edge of the river Jordan, God rolled back the waters, enabling the people to pass over on dry ground. In their priestly role representing the people, the Levites had to embrace great faith to step onto the waters. The Israelite nation in their millions followed on dry ground, but the priests had to lead the way.
In the New Testament we find a change from the Old Testament priesthood, where men represented the people to God, to the “priesthood of believers” spoken of in 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen generation, a ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darksness into His marvellous light”
We are in the New Day of the New Testament. Everything changed after Jesus’ sacrificial death and glorious resurrection. The transformation from the Old Testament priesthood to the New Testament is huge. Many still cling to the old, wanting a man to represent them to the Lord. The day of the “one man show” is over. The church was never meant to be an organisation, but an organism, living and growing in Jesus, our Head. We will never fulfil the purposes of God as individuals, but together. We are the lively stones being built together in 1 Peter 2: 5 “You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices , acceptable to God by Jesus Christ”
Ephesians 2: 18-22 speaks of us becoming a holy habitation of God through Christ: “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Now therefore we are no longer strangers and foreigners , but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In whom you also are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit”
We are no longer our own, to live to please ourselves. 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 “What? Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost who is in you, who you have of God, and you are not your own? For you are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s”
We are in the new day of the Lord, walking hand in hand with Him and our brothers and sisters together. We are being fitly framed together with Christ as our Head. He is the Master Builder building His Church with us, His living stones, “and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it”, (Matthew 16:18)
The priests in Joshua 3 had to step on the waters by faith in God’s instructions. We all have differing circumstances and relationships that challenge us. In our priestly role, God expects each of us to step on the waters in the challenges of our every day lives and exercise the gift of faith of His Son. It is part of the birthright of every Believer.
Never entertain a negative view of circumstances to rob you of the positive Jesus offers for every situation. If I embrace discouragement and bow to it, I will enter into the sin of unbelief and it’s consequences. On the other hand, if I embrace and bow to godly encouragement, it will lead to a healthy, positive, godly perspective.
When adversity arrives, opportunity knocks!…..Opportunity to lift Jesus higher in my circumstance, crown Him as Lord of my heart afresh…….invite Him, don’t fight Him in the situation. Stand back and watch Him take control as the “Master of every situation”. If I do not make Jesus Lord OF ALL, then (in my life), He is not Lord at all! Have I settled for second best, when God has so much more available in my inheritance in His Son. Don’t settle for less than God’s best, believe for more! Living in health can be defined as living in a right relationship with my Lord.
Remember…….A belief in the impossible demands a refusal to believe the obvious! Jesus said, “With God, all things are possible” God delights in the impossible because it magnifies His Son. He is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. He is NOT the God of the incomplete! We have been presented with so many precious truths. As the priesthood of believers it is expected of us to embrace, and walk in our role. Take a step of faith. It’s a new day! Step on the waters! God will provide.
