As I was pondering my life’s journey I thought of when the time came for the children of Israel to cross the Jordan. Several Bible stories involve the Jordan River. God often called his followers to cross the Jordan as part of his divine plan. The Israelites’ crosssing of the Jordan River on dry land was of great significance. In anticipation Joshua told them “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”
Joshua explained in that “This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. “See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you. (Joshua 3:10-11)
The Israelites miraculous crossing affirmed God’s presence with them and His promise to remove their enemies from the land. The Israelites built a memorial to serve as a lasting sign and marker of God’s work among them as remembrance of how the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. These stones were to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” (Joshua 4:6-7)
The Lord dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over. He did to the Jordan what He had done to the Red Sea when He dried it up before them until they had crossed over. Why did God perform this miracle? He did this to show that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” (Joshua 4:23-24) This served as a reminder of His power and might and why the Israelites should fear the Lord.
God made a promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that their descendants would inherit the land given to them by God. Generation after generation passed until the time was right; the time had come for the children of Israel to inherit the promised land of Canaan. Before Joshua could lead the children of Israel into the land flowing with milk and honey, an intimidating river had to be crossed. Once they crossed the river the promise became a reality.
As believers, we are looking for a distant land of promise that we have only heard of. We travel through the wilderness of life clinging to the “promise land” in expectation that comes from believing in God. Can you think back and remember a promise you’ve been waiting for with great expectation and excitement? You’ve been waiting for years, months, days for the manifestation of the promise.
Can you imagine the anticipation and excitement the children of Israel faced as they stood before the Jordan River the evening before the were to cross over into the land? The earlier generation had failed to enter because of unbelief and a new generation had waited a long time, for some it was close to forty years.
All of God’s promises are Yes and Amen! No doubt there must have been some anxiety as they saw the swollen river and thought about the fortified cities that lay on the other side.
Still today, I’m reminded to look for signs and markers of what God is about to do in the lives of His people. This reminds me that when it looks as though things have dried up, finances, relationships, etc. the Lord’s presence is always with you. This might be maturing your faith so that you learn to solely rely on Him alone. God promises to supply all of our needs according to His riches and glory. There is no limit to what the Lord can do!
Blessings,
Dr. Francine
Dr. Francine is an ordain minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She has a radio broadcast called “Going Beyond Church” on World Power Gospel Radio (WPGR) located in our nation’s capital.
Connect with Dr. Francine on Facebook at @afrancinegreen as well as on Twitter @beyond_2017. Visit her website at http://www.beyondchurchwalls.com.
BEYOND CHURCH WALLS 