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How To Prepare For Political Change

JOSHUA 3:1-17 NLT

To prepare for political change, I must…

Keep my eyes focused on God 

I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. PSALM 16:8 TNIV

Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. At the end of three days the officers went through the camp and commanded the people, “As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it.” JOSHUA 3:1-3 ESV

And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus… HEBREWS 12:1-2 NLT

Never fear the outcome but always fear the Lord

The fear of the LORD leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil. PROVERBS 19:23 NASB 

Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before. JOSHUA 3:4 ESV  

You don’t need to know the way when you are following Jesus.

Jesus said “I am the way…” JOHN 14:6 NIV

Make sure I am right before God

Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” And Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on before the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people. JOSHUA 3:5-6 ESV

How do I consecrate myself? 

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander… EPHESIANS 4:30-31 NLT

Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. JAMES 1:20-21 NLT

So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. 1 PETER 2:1 NLT

Vote with my conscience, but trust God’s choice

The LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” JOSHUA 3:7 ESV

 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. ROMANS 13:1-2 ESV

Blessed be the name of God forever and ever… he removes kings and sets up kings… DANIEL 2:20:21 ESV

Trust that God will get me though this

“Give this command to the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant: ‘When you reach the banks of the Jordan River, take a few steps into the river and stop there.’” JOSHUA 3:8 NLT 

Now choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. The priests will carry the Ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth. As soon as their feet touch the water, the flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will stand up like a wall. JOSHUA 3:12-13 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a few moments to quiet yourself before God, removing any distractions that pull for your attention. Begin your time by prayerfully acknowledging that God is in control. Find a physical posture to reflect this - perhaps with hands out and palms up, showing God that you surrender to him those things which are outside of your power and influence. Ask God what it looks like in the coming weeks to have your eyes and heart fixed on him. As God brings specific things to mind, consider writing them down. Confess the times where your eyes and heart have not been focused on God, and ask him for gentle reminders throughout your week to guide you back toward him in this season. Close your time by once again acknowledging his power and control over global events - it’s ok to pray the prayer of “Lord I believe; help my unbelief.” Thank him once again for loving you and caring for you, and commit to fixing your eyes and heart on Jesus this week.

Discussion Questions

  1. What is one thing that stood out to you this week in your personal Bible reading and prayer time?
  2. Read Hebrews 12:1-2. What are some of the practical things that you do to keep your eyes on Jesus? Is there anything you need to change to increase your focus on him?
  3. Read Proverbs 19:23. Many people see fear as always being a bad thing, but in what ways have you seen your personal fear of God be a good thing?
  4. Read Ephesians 4:30-31. Of the things Paul lists in this passage that grieve the Holy Spirit, which one shows up most in your life and what do you need to do about it?
  5. Read Romans 13:1-2. Regardless of the outcome of our upcoming election, what is one practical thing you can do to honor God’s choice to lead us?
  6. Read Proverbs 3:5-6. What do you need to do this week to trust and pursue God to help you get through this season of political change?