WBR 2025-26 - Session 3 - Risky Obedience

This morning, we get to talk about risky obedience.

We’re spending time in the book of Joshua, and if you’ve never read through it before, I strongly encourage you to do that. Joshua is the story of a people learning to trust God when the path forward doesn’t make sense.

Before we go any further, let’s pray.

Father God, we come before You grateful for Your grace and mercy. Thank You for moving when we can’t see, for caring for us even when we forget You, and for loving us enough to send Jesus to conquer sin and death so we can have life — not just survive, but live fully. Be with us this morning. Help us listen closely and respond to what You’re saying. We need You. Amen.

We’re going to focus on Joshua chapter 3, especially verses 15–17. This is the moment when Israel reaches the Jordan River — the final barrier between them and the Promised Land.

The Jordan was at flood stage. It wasn’t calm or safe. It was overflowing its banks, fast-moving, muddy, and dangerous. And yet God tells the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant to step into the water first. Only after their feet touched the water did God stop the river and allow the people to cross on dry ground.

This moment matters.

Moses had led Israel out of Egypt through the Red Sea. Now Joshua is leading them into the land God promised — and once again, God asks His people to trust Him before they see the miracle.

Obedience comes first.
Victory follows.

And there are parallels here for us.

Every one of you is a leader. You all carry influence. God didn’t just rescue you from something — He rescued you for something. And often, that calling leads us straight to places that feel uncertain.

Let me ask you a question.

Some of you are coming into this week in a season of victory — things are going well. Some of you feel like you’re in a “middle” season. And some of you feel like you’re fighting for your lives.

I want you to know something: no matter where you’re coming from, God is with you.

Joshua shows us three things that allow us to reach God’s best — especially when obedience feels risky.

1. Trust who you follow more than the plan

Joshua didn’t move forward because he had a perfect strategy. He moved forward because he trusted the One leading him.

God had already spoken clearly to Joshua: “Just as I was with Moses, I will be with you. I will never leave you or abandon you.” Joshua believed that — even when the instructions didn’t make sense.

He trusted God’s character more than his own understanding.

When you spend time with God, obedience stops feeling random. You trust Him because you know He wants your good.

2. Stay close and listen for His voice

As Israel prepared to cross the Jordan, Joshua said something important: “Come closer and listen to the words of the Lord your God.”

This wasn’t a passive moment. It was an invitation to lean in.

Sometimes we say we’re “waiting on God,” but we’re not actually listening. We’re distracted. We’re unfocused. We’re standing around instead of getting ready to move.

Following God requires attentiveness.

You can’t recognize God’s voice if you don’t spend time with Him. Just like in any relationship, listening matters. Obedience flows from closeness.

3. Practice what you believe — even when it makes no sense

God told the priests to step into the river before He stopped it.

That’s risky obedience.

It didn’t make sense. The water was flooding. The danger was real. But Israel didn’t argue or resist. They trusted Joshua because they knew Joshua trusted God.

Joshua had lived what he believed. His faith wasn’t just words — it was action. And because of that, people followed him.

Here’s the hard question:
Do the people in your life know your faith is real?

Not because of what you say — but because of how you live.

Risky obedience will cost you something. It may cost comfort, reputation, control, or security. But obedience always leads to God’s best.

If we say we follow Jesus, that means when He moves, we move.

Jesus says, “My sheep know My voice, and they follow Me.” Knowing His voice comes from knowing His character — through Scripture, prayer, and worship.

God often leads us one step at a time. His Word is a lamp to our feet, not a spotlight for the entire journey. We don’t see ten years ahead — we see the next step.

And sometimes that step takes us out of our comfort zone.

But God never sends us alone. He goes before us, behind us, and with us. Trust grows through small acts of obedience over time.

There will be setbacks. You will stumble. But don’t stay down.

Scripture reminds us that though the righteous fall, they rise again. God isn’t asking for perfection — He’s asking for surrender.

Before Israel stood on dry ground, they had to stand on God’s promises.

And the same is true for us.

Peace isn’t the absence of pressure — it’s the presence of trust.

So when fear rises, remind yourself of God’s promises. When doubt creeps in, return to His Word. When obedience feels risky, remember who you’re following.

God is leading you — and He will not fail you.

Let’s trust Him together.