Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted in fear and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites. Joshua 5:1
The Jordan was a natural barrier for the Canaanites from their enemies on the east, and GOD had led the Israelites straight through it like He had led their mom’s and dad’s through the Red Sea. He led them on dry ground at a time of year when the waters were normally higher than ever. God was loud and clear with His message to the people of this land! He was fulfilling His promise to give it to the Israelites.
I can see the jaws drop open and fear grip the people. For a long time, they had felt secure.
But now this!
God caused a total and paralyzing fear to come over them. Perhaps it took their breath away.
For me, today, I like to picture my enemies: Satan and his demons. I like to see the look on their faces when I cross over the Jordan with my powerful God! And this time, I’m not the one who is afraid. It’s hard to imagine such courage and confidence. But it’s truth.
You may say, I don’t see God acting in these kinds of ways today …and Him bringing my enemies to their knees.
I would respond by saying, He does; He is! …He is moving.
As we focus on this day and everything we have to do, God calls us higher to things beyond our understanding. Sometimes, He calls us IN our attitudes about our work and IN our need to show His love. Other times, He calls us IN our need to put down the remote control or the iPhone and attend to His people.
The big question at hand is: where does God want me, now? What is He calling me to do? No matter what is going on around me, no matter what I would call “unanswered prayers,” where is God? That’s where I want to focus my attention.
He is working powerfully on the narrow road and in humble hearts. He is working when I choose to quietly serve those who don’t deserve it or whose needs are greater than what I have to offer on my own.
Hearts are still being touched today. Changes are still happening, but I have to be willing to cross over the Jordan when God has spoken. I have to be willing to go forward.
Back in the days of Joshua, the peoples on earth would eventually hear about God, and the Jordan miracle was an example of how news spread of the Israelite’s coming in to take this territory.
Father, when our spiritual enemies see that we are putting our trust in you and are willing to follow you in whatever you call us to do (even when it looks foolish or strange), they will know that they’ve already lost the conflict. Our trust in you is their downfall. Teach us daily how to cross over the Jordan and to watch fear enter our enemies’ eyes! In Jesus name, Amen.