January 11th, 2026

Read Joshua 3:1-4 NIV

“Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over.  After three days the officers went throughout the camp, giving 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. Then 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.”

In these verses, we see that Israel had to leave the safety of their familiar camp and follow God into the unknown. They are told to MOVE out of their familiar positions and follow the Ark of the Covenant. They were not given details or assurances; they were simply instructed to MOVE. They are told that once they make the decision to MOVE….and actually MOVE….then they will know which way to go. In these verses, the commanding officers acknowledge that they are aware that this is brand new territory. They acknowledge that “you have never been this way before” and they offer the Israelites instructions to keep at a specific distance from the ark, but to keep it in their sight. They instruct them, basically to MOVE, but keep their eyes on God. 

Have you ever felt that you have been called to move away from the familiar and to move in the direction of the unknown? The physical act of moving is an essential element of faith. This physical motion allows us to go in the direction that God is calling us. But movement actually begins when we truly trust God enough to follow Him, even when the path isn’t clear. 

The Jordan River represented unfamiliar territory. God did not explain every detail. He simply asked His people to follow. He asked them to Move.

Questions: 

Where are you choosing comfort over calling?

What unknown might God be inviting you to step toward?