"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." vs1-3

We must follow the ark of the covenant. The Lord Jesus is the reason that we are saved. God laid our salvation upon him, and he was put to death for our sins. Thus, justice was satisfied by the finished work of the cross, enabling God to be just and the justifier, so that he can save us in righteousness.

It’s not because of works of righteousness that we’ve done. We add nothing to Christ. Joshua 3:4 - "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."" In fact, as Paul says, any attempt to add righteousness to the cross simply separates us from grace. Galatians 5:4 - "You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace." We can’t have Christ and our own righteousness: it must be by faith alone.

Do you receive this, and will you rely on Christ Jesus? The finished work of Golgotha is enough for every blessing, or we’ll never be blessed. The wrath of God is pacified in his blood.

Secondly, all Israel passed over. Joshua 3:17 - "Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan."

God’s elect will be saved, and none will be lost. Everyone who trusts in Christ, following him into the Jordan, will see the Father’s wrath is pacified, and there is no more condemnation! There’s no double jeopardy with God: he never punishes the same sins twice. Christ has paid, and we get the blessings, even the richness of the Spirit. Ephesians 1:14 - "who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." Everyone who trusts in Christ will be saved. Will you?

If you follow Jesus, then you can rest assured. Following means WALKING BY FAITH. This is not a one time thing: it is following him into the Jordan to the other side into Jericho. Joshua 3:16 - "the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho." Following Christ is obtaining the precious promises, including holiness of life, because he gives them to us. His work is sufficient for us to be blessed with perseverance, fruitfulness, and assurance: We have all things that God can give.

Finally, follow him: Do not be afraid. The Jordan is fierce, overflowing its banks, but God’s elect have been punished already, and Christ intercedes for us at the Father’s right hand. Vs15, “(now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest).” If we believe on him, no matter our sinfulness, we’ll receive the Spirit. Grace will help us overcome our sins from the inside out, and the riches of peace are ours.