photo credit: Anastasia Taioglou
The Crossing of the Jordan River
Joshua chapter 3 tells the story of the crossing of the Jordan River. God came to Joshua and told him to prepare the people to cross the Jordan River. At this time of year, the Jordan River was at it its highest, overflowing its banks. God gave instructions to Joshua to tell the priests to step into the river. Once their feet stepped into the Jordan, the waters would part, and the Israelites could walk across on dry land. The priests had to stand in the water until everyone had passed over.
And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)
And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan. (Joshua 3:15,17)
Standing Firm and Holding Our Ground
Rebekah Lyons author of You Are Free writes these words about the account from Joshua 3.
They stepped out in faith. (the priests)
They waited.
God moved.
They stood their ground until everyone was safe.
On that day there was partnership between God and man. God asked Joshua and the priests to step in, to stand firm, to hold their ground. God held back the waters as they remained steadfast.
I stopped and thought about those statements. This miracle only happened because the priests did their part. What would have happened if the priests decided it wasn’t worth the risk? Or what if they had grown tired of standing in the Jordan and decided to step out of the water before all the children of Israel got across? Scholars don’t know for certain how long it would have taken for everyone to get across, but some estimate it could have taken as long as 29 days!
Did the priests take turns standing in the water? I’m not sure how it all worked out, but I do know it was a supernatural act of God that could only be accomplished by the complete obedience of His people.
Standing Firm and Holding Our Ground
Rebekah poses this question next.
Are there places where God asks us to stand firm and hold our ground?
I read that question and stopped. I read it once more and had to stop and think about it. Then I began to unpack it.
Sometimes God asks us to step into the overflowing waters. It doesn’t make sense. We step in and it’s wet and dirty and mucky. Not only are we supposed to step in, but we are supposed to stay there and hold our ground.
Most of us can handle stepping into the water, but staying there? No thank you. I think the craziest thought in all is that the priests had to step in and stay there for everybody else.
Even if we manage to step into overflowing waters and stay there, I think the last part does us in. We are supposed to do it for others, not for ourselves. God asked the priests to hold their ground for everybody else.
Standing in the Waters
Has God asked you to step into the water and hold your ground for somebody else?
Sometimes God chooses people to stand and hold their ground for those who aren’t strong enough to do it themselves. Maybe that’s you. Maybe it’s me. Will we choose to step out in faith and wait for God to move? We can’t give in and throw in the towel because we get weary or frustrated. We are holding our ground waiting for God to work a miracle in our lives and in the lives of those around us. If we give up now, we will miss when God comes through and does the impossible. If you want to quit and need some encouragement, read my post When You Feel Like Quitting.
So today, remember the miracle of the crossing of the Jordan River.
They stepped out in faith.
They waited.
God moved.
Now, fill in your name.
___________________ stepped out in faith.
She waited.
God moved.
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