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Silvie Paladino “Your Grace Still Amazes Me” at Sydney’s Carols by Candlelight 2006

Scripture
Then Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.” Joshua 3:5

Observation
There are many ordinary dusty days on dirty roads that disappear into the distance. For 40 years God’s people had shuffled through the desert. One day was as bland as the next. But God was on the verge of doing something surprising. The journey was about to come to an end. No longer would they walk; they would now fight. Gone would be the tents as they moved into homes. Life was about to change dramatically.

The people were commanded to clean themselves up for the miracle of God just ahead on the road. Prayers would be prayed, sacrifices given, wrongs made right along with much washing and bathing. On miracle morning they were scrubbed up from the inside out.

Application
We need to live on tip-toe to see what God will do next. Expectation is more than excitement; it also includes our preparation. A ready heart is a welcome mat to the miracle working Jesus in our lives. Because the Lord is coming we are to get ready but also in some ways also because we are ready the Lord comes.

Joshua’s message would be heard centuries later along the banks of the same Jordan River as John the Baptist would say, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand; repent and be baptized.” That expectation brought the Messiah. What will happen with my expectation? This story calls me to do more than to get excited about what God is about to do; it is a command to get ready for it.

Prayer
Father, I do want you to act on my behalf, but what is there about my life that would entice you to do so? Let it be my soul cleansing from the inside out. Help me to know how in these days I can prepare for what is next. And may my expectation move you to action. Amen.