03/28/2022
The Lord tells us what He is going to do, and does it. The question becomes this… do we trust in Him enough to do our part. If the Lord says that the moment our feet touch the waters of the Jordan River it will part and we can cross on dry ground, will we step boldly out into the river? Will we look at the swift water, swollen by the spring rain, and step confidently into it? We all face such moments of faith in our lives, albeit they might not be flood waters, but they certainly could be to marry a person God tells us to, to take a job that we feel marginally qualified for, or to go on a journey to a dangerous place that makes us uncomfortable. We are all asked to step out in faith at some point in our lives, but will we be bold enough to obey?
“And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.”
Joshua 3:17 KJV
When I was a boy I liked to go on adventures into the forest with my friends. We would fancy ourselves to be adventurers, and wander through the pines, across fields, and occasionally we would ford streams. When crossing creeks and streams we would look for a tree that had fallen across it, and then, as if walking a tight rope, we would very carefully walk across the water on it. Balancing ourselves was always a challenge as we placed one foot in front of the other, but I always found it easier if I did this very quickly at almost a run. If I was too timid I was more likely to lose my footing and end up with wet feet. Facing the challenges that God places before us is a lot like crossing the log when I was young… doubt makes us much more apt to fail.
“For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”
Mark 11:23 KJV
We are meant to be bold in our faith, and to trust in what we have been given by God to do. If we stand quivering in fear and doubt then how can we possibly be the champions that we are meant to be? If David had attempted to face Goliath in fear could he have possibly thrown his stone with such precision, or would he have gained the confidence of king Saul that allowed him to be selected as the champion of Israel?
“David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.”
1 Samuel 17:37 KJV
Do we face our trials with the confidence, bravery, and the faith of David? Can we run into battle as David did, across the log bridges like confident young boys, or step into the flooded Jordan River without fear? Let’s look around us today, and identify those things that God is calling us to do. Let’s hear Jesus say “pick up your cross and follow me”, then do so without hesitation, or doubt. Are we bold enough in our faith to obey the Lord straightway as we should?
“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
James 1:6-8 KJV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for revealing your will to us, and hearing our prayers as we pray them within it. Thank you Lord for telling us what you would have us do, and for your Holy Spirit who gives us the understanding, and confidence to step boldly forward into it. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who strengthens our faith, and calls on us to step briskly forth to do your will. We praise you Father for the courage, strength, and confidence you give us through faith. We call you merciful who sent your only begotten son to redeem us, and to teach us what it means to pick up our own cross, and follow Him. Wash our feet in living water, and wash away our sins in His precious blood. Transform us Holy Father from children tending sheep to warriors who can boldly face your enemies, and never faint. Call us your children, your heirs, and judge us worthy in Christ. Let our silence be our strength, and our steady stillness reflect the confidence of our faith. Seat us at your table as righteous believers, and feed us your Word forevermore… your champions, your victors, and your merciful.
“And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?”
Luke 24:38 ESV
“And have mercy on those who doubt;”
Jude 1:22 ESV
Rich Forbes