STEPPING INTO THE WATERS OF FAITH!
Joshua 1:1-3 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,
[2] Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
[3] Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.
Joshua was a faithful servant to Moses and the Lord. Now, Moses had died and it was a new generation and the Lord was now placing HIS Hand on Joshua to take up the mantle of Moses and move God’s people forward into the promised land. The old was fading into the distance and there before him was the door to the future. I am sure fear was present, and questions arose by doubters as to his ability to lead God’s people as Moses did. Moses had been used by God to do miraculous things; things never seen before such as the plagues of deliverance from bondage, the parting of the Red Sea, healing from deadly snake bites, manna from Heaven, water from a rock, taking a tree and making the bitter waters sweet, constructing the tabernacle, being in God’s very presence and seeing HIS Glory, the battles fought and the giving of the Ten Commandments.
Who could possibly take the place of Moses who had been led and used of God? What would lay in store for Joshua by following God? What new battles would he face ahead? What would Joshua have to sacrifice and what cost would Joshua pay in the future to lead God’s children to the land that God had promised?
We are now in a new year in 2019 with the last year behind us, we look forward to the future and the doors the Lord will open before us. As the old comes to a close and the new begins toemerge upon us, waves of doubt filled with fear can overwhelm us at times with the unknown of what lies ahead. We look back, often with regret, from the days that have now slipped by at the blink of an eye and pray that this year will be the BEST year and most fruitful year in serving our Lord. If we are not careful, we will restrict our decisions based upon our limitations rather than on God’s limitless power. I’m sure Joshua’s first thought could have been; “Where do I begin?” But God made it very simple for Joshua, as HE always does for us. The Lord told him to do two things, yes only two: ARISE and GO OVER THIS JORDAN! Joshua could not remain where he was and fulfill the purpose God had for his life. He could not wallow in self-pity, grief or fear, recite a list of excuses, or wait for a more opportune time to do what the Lord asked him to do. He had to choose to get up and act upon the commands of the Lord going forth to obey all that HE had told him to do. Refusing to arise and move forward will defeat the child of God who desires to answer the call of God upon their lives.
The second thing Joshua had to do was to cross the Jordan River. This river was the only thing standing between God’s people and the land of Canaan. Stepping out into the waters of faith allowed Joshua and the people of Israel to cross over into their calling of God. He could not allow the Jordan to keep him from obeying God, no matter how impossible it seemed to overcome. Joshua had to leave the “how to” to God. When they stepped out into that water, God dried it up before them! After all, The Lord had already parted an entire sea for them; surely HE could part a river! God takes our Jordan’s and dries them up before us when we move forward in faith obeying HIS voice. It was the first step of obedience that cleared a path to walk across. There are new battles ahead of us, new enemies to face, fears to conquer, new land to tread upon. Christian friend, with this New Year before us, it is my prayer that you will ARISE and step into the waters of faith and behold the power of God to bring you into the land of Blessing!
Bro. Lawrence Longworth
Isaiah 61:1 “the opening of the prison to them that are bound;”
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