The complete event is in Joshua 3:1-17
After Israel came out of Egypt they where in the desert for 40 years. As this time came to an end and they where suppose to enter the Promised Land, this is one of the events that took place:
They where camped at the Jordan River. The Promised Land was on the other side. The morning it was time to cross the river, they where told by their officers to follow the Ark of the Covenant. It was to lead the way across the river.
The Ark of the Covenant was a symbol of the presence of God. It held the Ten Commandments and was carried by the priests.
The Lord said to Joshua:
Jos 3:8 Tell the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant: `When you reach the edge of the Jordan's waters, go and stand in the river.' "
What do you suppose the priests would have been thinking at this time? Stand in the river?
Joshua told the Israelites:
13 And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD--the Lord of all the earth--set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap."
I wonder how many people had doubt about this? They broke camp and moved toward the river.
15 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,
16 the water from upstream stopped flowing……… So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.
17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.
What am I trying to point out with this message?
Notice something very important. They had to step into the Jordan River, BEFORE the water would stop flowing.
Think about this. The river was at flood stage and the priests are suppose to step into the river. Can you imagine the faith it would take to do this. Do you think you could do this?
There are times God asks us to step out in faith before we know how it will work out. That's the times we have to put our trust in him and just go forward. Just like in those days it is not always easy.
There is another time we are asked to step out in faith:
JN 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
In other words, we have to step out in faith, and then we get saved.
What is the conclusion? We say: If you do this for me, I will do this for you.
God says: Trust me and I will help you. Trust me and I will save you.
Sometime that can be totally over whelming, like stepping of into a river at flood stage. Can you imagine the faith that took?
Lets listen to God and put our faith and trust in him.
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