“. . .for Jordan overflows all its banks all the time of harvest.”
Joshua 3:15b
So often God’s greatest miracles are reserved for those who are willing to step into the floodwaters, trusting Him to make a way through them.
For 40 years they’d wandered in the wilderness. For 40 years many of them had lived with the guilt of knowing their wandering was a direct result of their unbelief and disobedience (Num. 14:20-35).
But, now their day had come. The day to enter the Promised Land.
And, the Jordan River “overflowed all its banks because it was harvest-time.”
Talk about “bad timing!”
Or, was it?
There’s nothing mentioned about the Jordan’s condition 40 years before when the 12 spies went into the land to check things out (Num. 13:1-33). Most likely, it was normal, slowly flowing along with no menacing whirlpools, strong current, floating debris, etc. Regardless, the fact that it’s mentioned in our Manna tells us their entering in was challenging from the get-go.
The question was “Would they believe God. . .that He’d part the river the same way He did the Red Sea (Josh. 3:13; 4:23). . .or would they once again shrink back in fear and refuse to enter in?”
So often our greatest difficulties, obstacles and challenges in life come right when the Lord God’s fixing to do something miraculous in our lives. If we look at the problems (“the wind and the waves”), we’ll sink (Mt. 14:30); but, if we’ll stay focused on “Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2a), we’ll pass through/cross over to what He’s prepared for us.
That’s why it’s important for us to live by faith, not sight. Our “natural minds cannot receive (Grk. ‘dechomai’—‘accept, grasp, take in, take hold of, etc.’) the things of the Spirit of God—for they are foolishness (Grk. ‘moria’—‘absurd, silly, moronic, etc.’) to us; neither can we know/understand them, because they are spiritually discerned” (I Cor. 2:14).
It’s likely Joshua and his fellow, former spy, Caleb, believed God could/would part the river; however, many of those following him were born in the wilderness and hadn’t witnessed firsthand the parting of the Red Sea. That’s why the Lord reminded him that He’d be with him “even as He was with Moses and would not fail him or forsake him” (Josh. 1:5). They key to victory was trust. . .simple, childlike trust. . .which would enable him (and us) to “be strong and of good courage” (1:6, 9). Hallelujah!!
Dear Pilgrim, is the Jordan “overflowing its banks” in your life right now? Is God leading you to a “crisis of faith” where you must decide if you’re going to follow Him or hold back? Will you “step out of the boat” (Mt. 14:29) and into the water or shrink back in fear, saying “Let me pray about it for a while?” Do not be afraid, dear child of God; our Lord is faithful (I Cor. 10:13). And, He will make a way for you when there seems to be no way. Trust Him.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated January 8, 2010
