Step into the Water

“And as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap . . .” (Joshua 3:15-16, ESV).

The trip should never have taken that long. Not at all! The journey from Egypt to the Promised Land that should have been eleven days had stretched into four decades of wilderness living. (Read Deuteronomy 1:2-3.) The Israelites now stood within sight of their new homeland. All that separated them from the land God had promised was a river. The Jordan River was no peacefully flowing stream that day but a river at flood stage and overflowing its banks.

Did God mess up? Why would He bring them so close to their destination at the wrong season of the year? How could such a vast number of people cross over safely? There were no boats, bridges, or barges. What now?

GOD HAD A PLAN

God always has a plan—one that will far exceed any we might devise. God is never surprised by the circumstances we face. He does, however, ask us to trust Him, to exercise faith in what He is doing in our life. No boats, bridges, or barges would be needed that day.

“And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.” (Joshua 3:13, ESV)

Yes, the Israelites had a miracle awaiting them, but God wanted them to take that first step before the miracle began. As the priests carried the Ark of the Covenant into the river, the waters piled up into a heap, and they suddenly stood on dry ground. Not muddy, soggy ground but completely dry ground. Everyone crossed safely and dry.

THAT FIRST STEP

Sometimes we are reluctant to take that first step. It feels risky. You may question, “What if God leaves me standing here and doesn’t come through for me?” That won’t happen if we step out in faith. Second Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (ESV).

Time after time in Scripture, we see God responding with a miracle when the person took that first step of faith.

• The widow of Zarephath baked bread for the prophet Elijah before she made bread for her son and herself (I Kings 17:7-16).
• The four lepers had to walk into the enemy’s camp before they saw the miracle, a miracle so big they had to share it (II Kings 7).
• The three Hebrew children did not resist being thrown into the fiery furnace. Only when they stood in the flames did they see the fourth man standing with them (Daniel 3).
• Peter had to climb out of the boat and into a raging storm before he could walk on the water (Matthew 14:22-32).

I’m not sure what kind of miracle you need in your life today, but God is ready and willing to step toward you when you take that first step toward Him. When we place our trust in God, we are positioning ourselves for a miracle to happen.

“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:6, ESV)

MY PRAYER: Lord, as I look beyond the distractions around me and take that first step into the water, I know You will plant my feet on dry, solid ground. I believe that You have a miracle waiting with my name written on it.

Devotion by Mary Loudermilk