Today’s Post By: Rae Lynn DeAngelis
“Joshua told the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.’” (Joshua 3:5)
Could you use a little encouragement concerning an obstacle you’re facing? Is fear immobilizing you? Does your barrier seem so menacing that you can’t imagine crossing over without experiencing life-altering consequences?
The Israelites can relate to your dilemma. They too faced a seemingly impossible situation; a barrier that stood between them and the land God had promised.
The children of God needed to cross the Jordan River, but this wasn’t just any river; it was a river at flood stage! Needless to say, the action God was asking them to take required a whole lot of faith and courage.
“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:17)
Crossing the watercourse during this particular time of year could have tragic consequences if they were crossing the Jordan alone, but they weren’t alone! God was with them and gave very specific instructions on how they should proceed:
“When you reach the edge of the of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.” (Joshua 3:8)
“Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.” (Joshua 3:15-17)
God cleared the pathway, but only after His people acted in accordance to God’s direction.
The Levite priests stood in the middle of the dry riverbed, holding up the Ark of the Covenant, while the Israelites crossed over. What a beautiful illustration of God’s faithfulness. God was with them every step of the way!
Is it possible that God is waiting for you to take the first step of faith in obedience before He parts your Jordan? Like the Israelites, we are never alone. Pray fervently, and then listen closely for God’s direction through the counsel of His Word. When you are confident He is leading you in a particular direction, step out in faith and watch God part the waters.
“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” (Jeremiah 32:17)
