Joshua told the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.
Joshua 3:5
One command. Five words. A world of significance.
On the cusp of their greatest adventure, poised to step into the promise they’d chased for forty years, the Israelites received an unexpected instruction. Not “Sharpen your swords” or “Pack your bags,” but “Consecrate yourselves.”
In the bustle of an entire nation preparing to cross a flood-stage river, God called for a holy pause. A sacred preparation of the heart.
Consecration. It’s not a word we use often in our fast-paced, efficiency-driven world. Yet it holds the key to experiencing God’s power in its fullest measure. To consecrate means to set apart, to dedicate wholly to God’s purposes.
This wasn’t about external cleanliness, though that may have been part of it. This was about internal alignment. A heart check. A soul tune-up. God was saying, “Before I do amazing things among you, I want to do amazing things within you.”
How often do we rush into God’s promises unprepared? We want the miracle, the breakthrough, the answered prayer. But are we ready to steward it? Have we allowed God to prepare our hearts to receive His blessings?
Consecration is the spillway of revival. It creates space for God to move. It clears the clutter of our lives, making room for the holy. It’s saying to God, “I’m all in. Every part of me is available to You.”
This call to consecration wasn’t just for the leaders or the priests. It was for everyone. From the mightiest warrior to the smallest child, all were called to prepare their hearts. God’s amazing works aren’t just for the spiritual elite. They’re for all who make themselves available.
Practically, consecration can take many forms. It might begin with a time of honest self-reflection, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of our lives that aren’t fully surrendered. Prayer becomes crucial – not just speaking to God, but listening intently for His guidance. Diving deep into Scripture helps align our minds with God’s truth. Some find it helpful to journal their journey of consecration, writing down insights, commitments, and prayers.
Consecration often involves sacrifice. This could mean setting aside time for extended prayer and fasting, giving up certain comforts or pleasures to focus on God, or making amends in relationships where we’ve fallen short. It might involve reorganizing our schedules to prioritize time with God or recommitting to spiritual disciplines we’ve neglected.
Remember, consecration isn’t about earning God’s favor. It’s about positioning ourselves to receive what He already wants to give. It’s creating space in our lives for the holy, making room for God to move in power. As we consecrate ourselves, we’re saying, “Lord, I’m available. Use me for Your purposes. Let Your will be done in and through my life.”
Notice the promise embedded in the command: “for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” Consecration isn’t an end in itself. It’s a prelude to God’s power being manifested. It’s the runway for miracles to take flight.
The Jordan before you may seem impassable. The challenges may loom large. But as you consecrate yourself, watch how God begins to move. For it’s in the soil of surrendered hearts that God plants His greatest miracles. Your “amazing things” await. Will you prepare your heart to receive them?
Godseekers, what amazing things is God preparing to do in your life? What victories await just beyond your Jordan? Before you step into that promise, hear the gentle call to consecrate yourself. Make space in your heart for the holy. Prepare yourself not just to receive God’s blessings, but to become a vessel through which His power can flow to others.
Prayer
Lord, we consecrate ourselves to You today. Search our hearts and remove anything that hinders Your work in us. Prepare us not just to witness Your amazing deeds, but to participate in them. Make us vessels fit for Your use, ready to receive and pour out Your blessings. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Personal Reflection
- What areas of your life need to be consecrated to God today? What might be holding you back from full surrender?
- How might your expectation of God’s “amazing things” change if you approach them with a consecrated heart?
Step of Faith
This week, set aside a specific time for consecration. Choose a quiet place, free from distractions. Bring a journal if it helps. Ask God to search your heart and reveal any areas that need to be surrendered. Write down what He shows you, and make a commitment to align those areas with His will. Remember, consecration isn’t a one-time event, but a daily choice to set yourself apart for God’s purposes.
