Moses is dead and Joshua has been appointed by God. They are to go across the Jordan River after 40 years of wandering in the desert. They got up early in the morning to see the promises of God. However, the river was a large barrier to them getting out of the desert. It was spring and the river could not have been fuller or more dangerous to cross. The river had not been like this when the spies had gone across. They had gone when it was shallow. Why had they picked this time? They needed to trust in God to get across. They would have to patiently wait.

The priests had to stop, take a few steps and stop again. They then had to wait for God to get there! There is no point trying to second guess what God will do. God was at work  some 20 miles upstream! It was out of sight but it was still a miracle. God will pile up the waters at the place of your distress. They only knew they could now crossover to the other side. Your miracle may not be like someone else’s. You need to dip your toe in the water. God wants to get everyone over to the other side. God takes us over the river and to higher ground. They had crossed over but what lessons did they and can we learn?

1. Break camp

Don’t stay where you are – in the wilderness. Obey God and he will lead you through the impossible to His promised place.

2. Know the presence and voice of the Lord

If we know God is calling us then we can follow quickly. The people of Israel had been babysat by God for 40 years. He had provided food and water for them in the wilderness. It was now time to feed themselves.

3. Get your heart ready

Do you expect God to do great things? Can you see it already? God is going to help you break out and get to the other side. Stand still and wait. You may not see it but it will happen suddenly and you need to be ready and waiting patiently for God to move.

4. Don’t get in front of God

Let Jesus take the lead in our life and follow behind. If the priests had charged into the river they would have been swept away to their deaths. God does the miracles and we follow.

5. God is always at work in your life

You need to realise that God is at work in you life at all times. Obey and follow and He will make a way of escape. You may not see what God is doing “upstream”. We are no told how God stopped the waters upstream but do we need to know the details? If God doesn’t think so then neither should we.

6. Let God firm up the ground

You don’t need to slip and fall. God wants to make your steps sure. You can keep your feet dry. God will get His feet wet.

7. God will stay in the middle of the miracle

The priests stayed in the middle of the river on dry ground until all the people crossed over. God will never leave you nor forsake you. He will wait till you cross over to the other side. If God can’t take us over the mountain, He will take us through the mountain. He makes the impossible, possible. See Jeremiah 29:11. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Our God is a good God who only mean to only bless his children. It is the world, the flesh and the Devil that only mean us harm!

Categories: Joshua