Podcasts / Devotionals
Through Him (Crossing Your Jordans)
#WorshipDevotional #ThroughHim God instructs us not to turn away from His word. No matter the pressure, nor the tides, nor the flood, the Lord desires us to go through Him. What path are you on and how are you getting there?
Have you ever been called into a task that seemed greater than your ability to swim? What may be increasingly difficult, is the decision to pick up where your somebody else left off.
Such was the case for Joshua. He was chosen to finish what God had originally commissioned to Moses. But Joshua had a problem, which end of the pool was he to enter, by the stair side or diving right into the deep? “And it is through conflict that God induces the believer to seek and to grasp total triumph in Christ.” – Watchman Nee The life of Moses made a way for Joshua, and he prepared the people for the work that must be done.
Very early in chapter 1, in fact, right away, God calls Joshua out. Moses has passed, but the work continues and now devolves on his successor. This was the trial-conflict if you will, to the faith of Joshua. All his life, he learned from such a great and powerful leader, now the baton is in his hands.
How can he fill these shoes? Joshua’s feet must have turned to ice. Have you been here? Even though the task was given right away, Joshua was not first commanded to begin the journey.
The Lord first commanded Joshua three simple precepts: be strong, courageous and be careful to follow God’s laws by doing everything in them (vv.6-9). In continuation of God’s instructions, he wanted Joshua to wait and prepare. Sometimes it may appear easy to jump right into the deep for the sake of getting it done.
Hit it straight on! Be done with it! Others may feel that they would rather jump out of the way and head for the hills. Be done with that! God does not rush Joshua; he clearly wanted him to take his time and prepare. In verse 11, He says, “get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan…” It is evident that God wanted Joshua to start in at the shallow end of the pool.
He knew that there is a timing and strategy involved in wading the waters. Here, you get a better perception of the elements, temperature and current to navigate the river-road. Similarly, when we study the Scriptures to find God’s current in our situations, we hold the most valuable compass – His Word. God instructed Joshua to not turn away from the Scriptures, to the left nor to the right.
Sometimes in our haste, even with the best intensions, we can dive right into the deep only to find that we soon become exasperated, overwhelmed and under prepared to continue. It’s amazing how the Bible serves as a reservoir for our souls.
The triumph we find in our challenges and conflicts, is the ability to discover that we can truly do all things in Christ (Php. 4.13), who gives us strength. Apart from Him we are nothing, He alone is only to fear, not the deep waters and rough tides that surge at our feet.
God develops the courage within us as we rightly prepare by taking one step at a time. As we seek Him first, He surprises us by His will. Even when we stand in the waters, we see the beauty of God: he is always moving forward, even when it seems like we are standing still.
God is constant. One promise He whispered to Joshua as he still whispers today, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Jos. 1.5).
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