Monday, May 1, 2023
Joshua was up early and on his way from Shittim with all the People of Israel with him. He arrived at the Jordan and camped before crossing over. After three days, leaders went through the camp and gave out orders to the people: “When you see the Covenant-Chest of God, your God, carried by the Levitical priests, start moving. Follow it. Make sure you keep a proper distance between you and it, about half a mile—be sure now to keep your distance!—and you’ll see clearly the route to take. You’ve never been on this road before.”Joshua 3:1-5 MSG
An Unwavering Faith
Everything you want is on the other side of fear. – Jack Canfield
This very profound, modern day motivational quote was spot on for the Children of Israel. God had led them out of Egypt down a path straight through the sea, water curled up on either side as they passed. Miracle after miracle God had manifested Himself to them, providing for them every step of the way. Now, after wandering in the desert for so long, they were only a river’s width away from the Promised Land – everything they wanted.
It seems like a river’s width is a small obstacle when that is all that is keeping you from everything you ever wanted. Really it is not that it was everything theywanted, but it was everything that God had promised them. God had provided for these people for a generation, but it was not the Land of Promise. Many of them may had become comfortable. But the river was roaring, swollen to the banks. The rapids were fierce, and the river was a mile wide with lots of undergrowth where a person could get stuck. They had women, babies, animals, and elderly people. Their doubts wavered as they believed that only the strong could make it.
Across the Jordan was the Land of Promise, but it was also the land of uncertainty. Stepping off the banks and into the water seemed terrifying to the Children of Israel so they just sat there for 3 days. Going where you have never been before always requires courage and faith. Sometimes the answers we get about how it will work out are not encouraging. God is the one who establishes the path and He is the one who provides for the victory. The desire of God was for His people to move from the place of their wandering to the place of promise. He had a plan and a future for His people, a way across the Jordan, and He has a plan for you and me too. He may lead you to a thrashing river that you need to cross. He wants us to have the courage to step into the raging water, trusting Him. Not stepping out in faith stalls us in our fear and keeps our promised land a river’s width away.
As soon as they were obedient, as soon as their feet touched the water, God curled up the water again and they crossed on dry land. God always has a plan because God always has a purpose. Men do not always have a plan because men forget their purpose and wander, or let fear keep them back. We may not get to cross all our Jordans on dry land. Sometimes the way across will be treacherous. But if God leads you to the banks, He will part the waters or at least get you across. The journey will be worth it. The growth you will experience from following in faith and trusting Him, and the promised land He has for you across the river will all be worth it.
