How to Get Past Your Jordan (Part 2)

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.” Isaiah 43:2

We each have “Jordans” that we face from time to time!  I don't know specifically what kind of obstacles you are facing in your life, but I do know a God who specializes in overcoming the overwhelming and in leading His children to victory. We can recognize from this experience some steps that we can take get past that obstacle that blocks our way and enter our Canaan. Yesterday we learned that we have to listen to God.  Today we will continue on with our journey with the second and point – to commit fully to God’s plan and to trust God to work things out. 

Commit Fully to God’s Plan - the people were told to "sanctify yourselves." 

This referred to being sure they were as clean and holy as possible. They were to put away anything that was displeasing to the Lord. They were to examine themselves and get ready for the Lord to do something great for them.

If we ever expect to get past the Jordans that arise in our lives, we are going to have to examine our lives to make sure they are as clean as possible. Many of the things that happen in our lives that prevent us from walking in Christian victory are the results of our sin and the Lord's chastisement. Is everything in your life just as the Lord would have it to be? Remember, there is forgiveness in confessing our sins to the Lord - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9

Trust God to Work Things Out
This message to the Israelites reminded them that getting across the Jordan did not rest on their shoulders, but on the Lord's. It was His plan to get them over and it was His problem. In these verses, He makes them a promise and tells them that He will bring them through in a powerful fashion. God, here, commits Himself to bringing his people across their Jordan! All that was required of Israel was that they trust God!

May I remind you that things have not changed one bit? If God could be trusted in those days to keep His promises, then He can still be trusted today! Often, we are unable to get past the obstacles in our lives because we live a life that exhibits a lack of faith in the promises of God! How do I know? Because of the worry and doubt that marks the lives of the people of God.

·      We worry over tomorrow, yet the Lord has promised. - Matt. 6:34.

·      We worry over material things, yet the Lord has promised. - Matt. 6:25-33; Phil. 4:19.

·      We worry about facing various things in life, yet the Lord has promised. - Heb. 13:5

·      We worry over so many things, yet the Lord tells us that all of our worry is sin and that our duty is to trust Him. - Phil. 4:6-7.

The bottom line is this: Jesus is all-powerful, He is all-knowing and He is all-present. He knows what you are going through. He knows everything there is to know about it. He even knows more about it than you do! Here is what He says to you: "The just shall live by faith" Rom. 1:17; "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin"  Rom 14:23; "Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith"  Matt. 8:26.

What He says to us is that He is the Lord and that He is greater than any problem we have ever or will ever face in life. His desire is that we simply learn to take Him at His Word and trust Him. We need to remember that what the Lord has promised to do, He will do! That is the message so let us take it to heart!

Scripture to Claim:

…and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. 
Romans 4:21