02/11/2022
How often do we ask God to provide us with a way to do something, or to make it possible for us to proceed forward in some endeavor, then wait for Him to clear the way for us? Sometimes it is appropriate to wait on the Lord, but there are times when He tells us to go ahead, and we are reluctant to move, we continue to wait. This occurs when we look at the way ahead and it appears to be blocked… so we simply wait. But, just as it takes faith to patiently wait on God to speak, it also takes faith to step out when He tells us to do something, or go somewhere, and we can’t see the evidence of Him working.
“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
In this verse the prophet Joshua is telling the people of Israel that they are to cross over the Jordan River, and that the arc of the covenant is to go before them. They are to miraculously cross over the Jordan on dry ground, but if they hadn’t been listening carefully, and trusting completely, they would have missed the fact that God was not going to part the waters until the feet of the priests bearing the ark were resting in the water. If they didn’t hear this, or trust enough to step out into the River, then the miracle would not have happened.
“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),”
Joshua 3:15 ESV
If we discount how much faith this required of the people in order to take that first step into the water, we need to read further because we are told that the water was at flood stage, and if this was simply Joshua’s imagination, and God didn’t act, then the priests and the arc would certainly be swept away, but the people did have faith, they did step out in faith, the miracle did occur, and they passed safely over the Jordan as promised…
“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), Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.”
Joshua 3:15, 17 ESV
So in this story we witness another miracle similar to Moses parting the Red Sea, but in this case it was necessary for the people to step out in faith BEFORE the waters were parted… before the miracle would manifest itself. The question we need to ask ourselves today is this… do we have enough faith to step out into the water of our own answered prayers when God tells us to, or are we like those in Moses’ time, and need to have already seen the miracle unfolding before us before we will move forward into it? Do we trust that He will do what He says?
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.”
Psalm 145:18-19 ESV
This verse adds a new dimension to listening, trusting, and having faith in God; it speaks to us of losing faith… it is not simply referring to God saving us from our enemies, but also from our lack of faith. The proof of this comes in the story of Peter walking on the water. He is successful until the moment he is afraid, and loses his firm hold on faith, but Jesus reaches out to save him from his fear, and disbelief.
“He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?””
Matthew 14:29-31 ESV
So when we pray in the will of God, or we receive a Word, a dream, or a vision, and the Lord tells us what He would have us do, we should listen carefully because he might tell us to take that first step in faith, and if we are trusting and confident enough, then we will step right into the miracle. But, our faith must remain strong in order to sustain us in what has been promised, and remain strong until it is fully manifest, and our desire has been fulfilled.
Miracles, by definition, are outside of what comes naturally, and they can either come at frightening times, or be frightening in and of themselves. So faith, and trust, is required of us… are we ready to take that first step into the unknown? Is our faith strong enough to overcome our initial fear, and continue to provide us with the confidence and courage we need to obey God? If so then miracles happen, promises are kept, and we will step into eternity in the process.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for being true to your promises, and for answering our prayers. We thank you for giving us faith, and for growing it in us to maturity so that we will step out boldly when you ask us to, and will remain strong in our faith as your miracles are realized, and bring your blessings and promises to fruition. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who asks us to believe, and to have faith in you, and your Son Jesus. Praised be your name for every time you ask us to demonstrate that faith in obedience to you, and especially in those times when we must do so blindly. Merciful are you to take our hand when our faith is waning, and we are about to drown. Our faith, your love, and the grace you pour over us; how mighty are they, and how completely they overcome all hardship and fear we are confronted with as we do your will. Help us father to be strong, and not waiver as we do those things in faith that we can’t readily see as possible. Help us as we step out in the fullness of faith to obey you in everything you tell us to do, and may we always bring you glory. Purify us in the blood of your lamb, Jesus Christ, and through Him lead us to you. By our belief, and faith in Jesus, count us worthy of eternity with you, and seat us at your table forevermore.
Rich Forbes