Follow the Ark: A Daily Devotional (Joshua 3:3)

Follow the ark was the simple but powerful instruction God gave to the Israelites as they prepared to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. This command represented something much deeper than just walking behind a golden box.

It meant following God’s presence wherever it led them, even into unknown territory. When we follow God’s guidance in our daily lives, we discover that His presence goes before us to prepare the way.

Today, let’s learn how following God’s presence can lead us through impossible situations and into the blessings He has prepared for us.

Follow the Ark: Key Takeaway

When we follow God’s presence instead of our own understanding, He leads us through impossible situations and into His perfect plan for our lives.

Anchor Bible Verse of the day

And they commanded the people, saying, ‘When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it.’

— Joshua 3:3 (NKJV)

This verse was spoken as the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land after forty years in the wilderness. They faced the swollen Jordan River with no bridge or boats to cross it.

God’s instruction was simple: watch for the ark of the covenant and follow it. The ark represented God’s presence among His people and His covenant promises to them. By following the ark, they were choosing to trust God’s guidance over their own fears and limitations.

Key Explanations

Ark of the Covenant: This was a sacred chest that contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. It represented God’s presence and His promises to His people.

Set out from your place: This meant leaving their comfort zone and familiar surroundings to follow God into unknown territory and new adventures.

Go after it: This required active obedience and faith. They had to physically move and follow where God’s presence led them, even when they couldn’t see the outcome.

Follow the Ark: A Reflection

As believers today, we are called to follow the ark of God’s presence in our daily lives just as the Israelites did at the Jordan River. While we may not have a physical ark to follow, we have something even better – the Holy Spirit living within us and God’s Word to guide our steps. When we choose to follow God’s leading instead of our own understanding, we position ourselves for miraculous breakthroughs and divine interventions.

The psalmist David understood this principle when he wrote in Psalm 23:2-3, “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” This verse perfectly captures the theme of how God’s presence leads us into places of blessing and restoration. When we follow the ark of His presence, He guides us to green pastures and still waters, even through difficult valleys.

The Israelites’ experience teaches us that to follow the ark requires both patience and courage. They had to wait for God’s timing and then step out in faith when He moved. Sometimes God’s presence leads us into situations that seem impossible or frightening, just like crossing a flooded river. However, following God’s presence always leads to victory because He goes before us to prepare the way and fight our battles.

Consider how the Israelites had to maintain proper distance from the ark while following it. This teaches us about reverence and trust in our relationship with God. We must follow the ark of His presence with holy respect, understanding that His ways are higher than our ways. When we follow God’s guidance with humble hearts, He reveals His power and faithfulness in ways that exceed our expectations.

Practical ways to follow the ark in your daily life include:

Starting each day with prayer and Bible reading to discern God’s direction
Listening for the Holy Spirit’s voice through worship and meditation
Seeking godly counsel from mature believers when making important decisions
Being willing to leave your comfort zone when God calls you to move
Trusting God’s timing even when His plan doesn’t match your timeline

When we choose to follow the ark of God’s presence, we discover that God’s covenant promises are still active in our lives today. Just as the ark led the Israelites through the Jordan River and into their inheritance, God’s presence leads us through our impossible situations and into the abundant life He has prepared for us. We must remember that God’s presence goes before us to make a way where there seems to be no way.

The beautiful truth about following the ark is that God never leads us where His grace cannot sustain us. Every step we take in obedience to His leading brings us closer to His perfect will and opens doors that only He can open. When we trust in God’s guidance rather than leaning on our own understanding, we experience the same miraculous power that parted the Jordan River for the Israelites.

Blessings..!