Jesus welcomed the people, taught them about the Kingdom of God and healed those in need. Luke 9:11

Seeds of the Kingdom

Willing to get your feet wet?

by Andy Taylor

13 December 2008

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Now it was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water began piling up at a town upstream called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the city of Jericho.
Joshua 3:15-16, NLT

This is definitely one of those events that we will want to watch in High Definition replay in heaven! The children of Israel had finally come to the end of their wanderings in the desert and were about to be led by Joshua into the Promised Land. The only snag however was that, in the same way that Moses came to the Red Sea, Joshua had come to the River Jordan. To make matters worse the snow had melted on Mount Hermon and the Jordan had overflowed its banks!

Earlier in the passage God speaks to Joshua and tells him to get the people ready to cross the river - and that’s exactly what happens. The people get ready, the priests get ready, everyone moves into position- but nothing happens and the river remains uncrossable.

They could have just waited there for God to build a bridge or to part the water, but God’s instructions were clear - the river would stop flowing at the very moment when the priests’ feet touched the water. This is yet another example in Scripture of how God wants us to put our faith into action!

It was risky for Joshua. What if He hadn’t really heard God’s voice? What if it was all just his own idea? It’s easy for us because within a few verses we saw what God did. For Joshua it was a different story. He was relying completely on God to do what He said He would do when he put his faith into action and instructed the priests to walk into the water. And as they did so. the river dried up and the people were able to cross over on dry land!

What’s your response to God’s leading when things seem impossible? Do you want to wait for a bridge to appear or do you take the risk, put your trust in God and get your feet wet? Sometimes that’s the only way to walk into the promises of God for your life.

Prayer: Help me Lord to exercise real faith when you speak into my life, so that I won’t miss out on seeing you work a miracle. Give me the courage, Lord, to trust you at all times. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Andy Taylor is Director of Ellel Grange, UK National Director and is a member of the Executive Leadership of Ellel Ministries. He joined the team in 1991 and has served the Lord at Ellel Ministries centres in the UK, Australia and the USA. Andy is married to Cath and they have three boys.

 

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