The Answer to the Problem: Staying Focused on the Ark

Preaching Sunday evening from Joshua 3:1-4, Pastor Chris Parker returned to the book of Joshua with a message he titled “The Answer to the Problem.” Beginning with Job 14:1 — “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble” — he reminded the congregation that everyone faces problems: health, financial, work, home, and relationship troubles alike. But Joshua chapter 3, he said, gives the answer to dealing with any problem we have. While the Red Sea crossing pictures salvation, Israel’s crossing of the Jordan pictures entering the victorious Christian life — a life of consecration and laying claim to God’s promises, which remain as true today as they were to Abraham, Moses, and Joshua. At the center of the passage is the ark of the covenant, containing the pot of manna (God’s provision), Aaron’s rod that budded (God’s power), and the tables of the law covered by the mercy seat (God’s mercy) — together a beautiful picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. Israel was commanded to keep the ark in view, yet at a distance of 2,000 cubits, teaching both focus on Christ and reverence for a holy God, “for ye have not passed this way heretofore.” We do not know what tomorrow holds, but Christ has been there. Pastor Parker stressed that the flooded Jordan did not stop until the priests stepped in — God moves when we move, for faith without works is dead. He pointed to Peter walking on the water, Jehoshaphat’s prayer in 2 Chronicles 20:12, and Hebrews 12:2, “looking unto Jesus.” Three parts of the body appear in Joshua 3: the eyes (stay focused on the ark), the heart (sanctify yourselves), and the feet (get involved — get your feet wet). Whatever problem you face, the answer is Jesus; stay focused on Him. The service closed with an invitation and the observance of the Lord’s Supper.