“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. Yet there shall be a distance between you and it…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 3:2-4
As the Israelites set out, they were to keep the ark, which contained and represented the covenant the Lord God had made with them, before them at all times.
It showed them the way to go as they ventured into this land. And it served as a visual reminder of God’s protection, provision, and constant faithfulness to them.
Is this not how we are to walk through life as well? Choosing to set before our eyes the covenant our God has made with us? If we have trusted in Christ and surrendered to this God of abundant life, steadfast love, justice, righteousness, and mercy, we are now reconciled to Him forever. Led faithfully by our great, wise Shepherd. Kept firmly in His grasp. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand” (John 10:27-29).
If we keep the truth of our God before us, we will have confidence no matter what comes our way. Because we will be looking at every circumstance, every unexpected turn, through the lens of His faithfulness. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. Which means that we are never alone in what we face. And we will never do anything that will make Him stop loving us. He will never abandon us for another or forget His promises to us because He’s too busy, distracted, or unfeeling.
He has chosen to save you. He has chosen to speak to your heart and draw you near, so that you can know Him and trust that He will not fail you. He did not have to promise anything, to commit Himself to your welfare. But He did. And He will remain steadfast, even if everything around you changes. His faithfulness to you will be so evident that when others look at you, they will see the radiant glory of His grace shining brilliantly through your life.
Fix your eyes on God’s covenant with you. Be constantly reminded of His protection, His provision, His faithfulness, His strength, His joy, and His salvation. He sees you and is guiding you with each step. He surrounds you as the mountains surround Jerusalem. As you look to Him, He will keep you from falling for the lies that attempt to draw you away from Him, away from joy and light and freedom. You will know the way you shall go, and your steps will not falter, for the almighty God who has promised to be with you is establishing your steps.
In Pleasant Places 