Moses has died. In fact, for the past forty years, everyone over 20 has died in the wilderness. The only two over 20 to still be alive are Joshua and Caleb. Joshua is God's appointed and anointed leader now.
Joshua is a man of prayer. Earlier in his life, Joshua lingered in the tabernacle long after Moses had finished praying and talking with God. Could it be that Joshua knew that he needed to be spiritually prepared for this day.
In Joshua 3:1-5, we find Joshua setting the precedent for experiencing the wonders God has prepared for Israel. We can apply these principles and see God's wonders!
#1 Prayer!
Joshua rose early in the morning. Could this be his prayer time? I believe it could be. Prayer is vital to the life of the born-again Christian. Just as you cannot live without blood or water in your body, neither can you survive without prayer.
You cannot replace the purpose or power of prayer with programs or promotions and still experience the wonders!
Morton Bustard wrote in The Impassioned Soul, "The world is experiencing what is quite possibly the greatest move of God ever known to man. The birthing room for this Heaven-sent, hell-shaking, life-changing experience is the prayer room."
Prayer produces power and power produces the demonstration of the Spirit of God.
The elders of the previous generation would often say, "You need to pray through." Stop and think about those words - PRAY THROUGH - when you're faced with a situation that seems impossible, PRAY THROUGH the to the peace of God and experience the wonders!
#2 Perspective!
Joshua told Israel to "remove from your place." This phrase means in the Hebrew, "change the way you think."
Are you listening to the voice of the Shepherd, or are you listening to the voice of strangers?
"You cannot go with God and stay where you are." ~ Henry T. Blackaby
Are you surprised when God does come through, or are you surprised when He doesn't? Some people are amazed when the gifts of the Spirit operate, or people are healed, filled, or delivered. Often they say, "We had a divine interruption tonight." If God had to "interrupt" then He's not truly leading you or your church is He?
Instead, change your mind and expect God to do exactly what His word says! I'm amazed if the gifts of the Spirit DON'T operate. Change your perspective - remove from your place and go after God!
#3 Preparation!
Joshua rounds out his words to Israel by saying, "sanctify yourselves" which means "to dedicate; to prepare."
You've to got prepare yourself to receive what God wants to do. If you're going to pray for rain, be sure to plow your fields expecting the rain to come!
In reality, prayer helps us to change our perspective which in fact prepares us for the wonders.
Joshua proclaimed, "the Lord WILL do wonders among you!" It's not maybe. GOD WILL!
So, are you ready for the wonders?
