See God’s Faithfulness (Chantilly)

God Faithfully Works Upstream

Joshua 3:15-17 ESV – …as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water…, 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. 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

Ephesians 2:10 ESV – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Isaiah 46:9-11 ESV – I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.

Galatians 4:4 ESV – when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son

When God Faithfully Works Upstream, What’s Next?

Deuteronomy 4:9 ESV – Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children—

Deuteronomy 6:12 ESV – Then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

God Works Upstream—Even Though The Need May Not Feel As Dramatic As in the Past

Matthew 12:39 ESV – But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it…

Matthew 17:20 ESV – if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

When God Faithfully Works Upstream, It’s Never About the Leaders

Joshua 3:7 ESV – 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.

God Faithfully Works Upstream Because People Follow Him in Faith

Joshua 3:9 ESV – Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.” 

Joshua 3:15-17 ESV – …and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), 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, …were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. 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 is always at work upstream.  We must believe and follow Him—even though it’s risky!

1 Timothy 6:17-19 ESV – As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. ¹⁸ They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, ¹⁹ thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.