When the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground. (Joshua 3:14-17 NIV).
Background
The Israelites had been waiting for 40 years to realize their promised destiny – to own and rule in the promised land. There must have been great expectancy as they were reminded over the years of the richness of this land through stories by Caleb and Joshua. There must have also been a lingering sense of anxiousness over the giants that were currently possessing the land. It was time.
The next step was not going to be easy. The Jordan river was raging. The river was at flood stages. This was dangerous. Seriously Lord? Wouldn’t your plan make more sense if we crossed once the flood stage resided?
As is frequently the case in God’s formula for executing His plan, He was not going to make this easy. It is always less about the success of an event. It is always more about what the process builds into His people’s character. We often forget this spiritual law. We like it easy. I certainly prefer it easy.
As directed by the Lord and relayed by Joshua, the priests carting the ark stepped into the raging water and then…the water resided.
Reflection
Exercising earthly wisdom and potentially waiting until the flood resided wasn’t God’s plan. Standing on the waters edge and engaging in a massive prayer service to ask for the water to reside before the Israelites would be subjected to risk wasn’t God’s plan. God’s plan was for His people to step out in action and obedience. And in God’s calculus, this was the formula that He wanted executed.
What if God has a future destiny and promise in our lives that requires us to take a step into the raging water as a first step?
What if His call defies earthly wisdom? Will we hear it?
What if it is easier for God to move in our lives if we prayerfully have a bias for movement and action?
What if... 