CROSSING OUR JORDON (Joshua 2)
In the last blog we saw the importance of following our leader, Jesus, just as the Jews followed Joshua to victory. Theirs were physical battles while ours are spiritual, but the lessons are the same. From the very start, God was teaching them about spiritual warfare.
First, they would have to cross the Jordan River which was at flood stage (Joshua 3:15). Humanly speaking it was the worst time to try to cross. Read Joshua 3:1-17. Human wisdom said to not try, but God chose this time to show His power. God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). By following God, the Jews found there was no opposition because the residents of Canaan were not expecting them to cross at that time. It was also a time when much food was available in the land and the morale of the Canaanites had been undermined by word of God’s work through the Jews (Joshua 5:1). God miraculously opened the Jordan, as He had the Red Sea for the previous generation (Exodus 4:3). Only now He expected them to step into the water first (Joshua 3:14-17), not stand on dry ground and watch.
LESSON FOR TODAY 1: God told them to cross the Jordan at the worst time and place. It was flooding so the water was very deep and fast-moving. Many times, it seems to us that God is expecting the impossible from us. He guides us into impossible situations and then expects us to trust Him to lead us through them. If it seems that way some times it is because that is how He does indeed work. Don’t complain to Him about your dreadful circumstances. He already knows. You are right where He wants you. Stay faithful and watch Him work. The worse the problem the more glory He gets for helping you through it. Sometimes He will remove the problem, other times He will help you endure it. Either way you win and He is glorified!
LESSON FOR TODAY 2: At the Red Sea the Jews stood still and watched what God did, but now God is requiring more of them. They have to step into the water while it is still in flood stage. That meant stepping off a steep bank into fast-moving very deep water. Step out in faith is not easy. It’s much easier to sit back and watch Him work, like he has in the past. But that was the past and this is now, so act in faith even if everything seems impossible. Step out in faith, trusting He is leading you, and He will be there. Make sure He is leading and you aren’t acting on your own, though.
LESSON FOR TODAY 3: As we mature in faith, God expects more and more of us. The trials get harder for the Jews and God expects more from them as they grow in faith. Your tests and challenges are much greater than when you were a young Christian so you will continue to grow. A muscle grows stronger when it is taken to its limit and then a little beyond. That is how our faith muscles grow as well. God promises He won’t give us too much if we lean on His guidance, power and grace (1 Corinthians 10:13) .
The conquest of the land and settling on the ground God gave them required battle after battle. Joshua prepared to enter by meditating on God’s Word (Joshua 1:8) and by following Jesus (Joshua 5:13-14). We, too, are to meditate on God’s Word (Psalm 1:1-3) and follow Jesus as well (Mark 1:17; 2:14).
Are your battles getting harder? Don’t let that discourage you. God is faithfully working to make you more like Jesus (Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:28-29). Is there a step of faith God wants you to take but you are holding back? Talk to Him about it now and commit to step out in obedience.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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