Thursday, May 4, 2023
And Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.” And Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. Joshua 3:9-10
Without Fail
The Israelites made it across the river. They had faith and courage to be obedient and God was faithful, just like He always is. It is the unknown that haunts us and keeps us frozen in fear. The Israelites learned some good lessons from their adventure crossing the Jordan and we can learn from it too:
God is Faithful - God has always been and always will be faithful to keep His promises - without fail. He was with Moses and parted the waters during the exodus from slavery in Egypt. The ark of the covenant was God's throne or dwelling place on earth and was in the center of the Jordan River while the Israelites crossed. Literally, the Lord went into the dangerous river first, showing He was Israel's protector. The same God that went with Joshua and the Israelites into the Jordan is with us today. He still goes before us, leading the way and making it safe.
God Reveals His Wonder-Working Power - God’s strength would enable the people to conquer every enemy they faced. Most of the year, the Jordan River was about 100 feet wide and only three to ten feet deep. However, when the Israelites crossed, it was at flood stage, overflowing its banks. Nothing but the wonder working power of God could have parted it and made it safe for his people to cross. And no enemy can overcome God's mighty power.
When we have very recently experienced God’s power in our lives it is so much easier to have faith and courage. When we have just crossed the Jordan with the presence of God holding back the water, we are pumped and primed to meet whatever comes next. Fresh on the heels of God’s wonder working power that was revealed when they crossed the river, they were re-grouping to prepare for what was next. Joshua had said that God would without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. This is what was coming next. God had been providing manna for them in the wilderness, but now they would have to defeat their enemies and take possession of the Promised Land God had for them. They would soon be enjoying the fruits of the land - a land flowing with milk and honey. God had promised, and without fail, He would deliver.
Most of the Israelites who had been a part of the crossing of the Red Sea in their escape from Egypt had died. This new parting of the Jordan showed God's love for this new generation. It was a turning point. It was a fresh start. And it was a break with the past. Crossing the river is representative of no going back. You step out in faith and cross the river, and you are not going back across it - at least not today.
Where do you need to see God’s Wonder Working Power in your life today? What do you need to claim or possess - your marriage, your family, work, or school? Maybe there needs to be a break with the past so you can move forward to claim what’s been promised to you. Do you need to be reminded of the miracles and fulfilled promises that you have already seen in your life?
It can be a new day for us too. Courageous faith and obedience are what we need to possess what God has for us. The promise has been made by our faithful God. It is up to us to obediently step out and claim it.
