Crossing of Faith

How often have you been put into a situation where you wondered if you were ready to handle it or not? How many times during that situation did you think “I wish I had more time to prepare” and yet more time was not given to you? Sometimes finding ourselves in situations we know we are meant to be in but feel not fully ready for can be scary and that is when we need a lot of faith.

Joshua who was Moses' devoted servant also found himself in a situation requiring faith and reliance on God- not on himself. There came a time when Moses knew he was about to die, and so he told Joshua he was to be the one to lead the people into the promised land. Moses told Joshua to be strong and courageous, and that God would go before him. Shortly after this conversation between the two of them, Moses died, and the people wept for a period of thirty days. After the thirty days were over, the Lord spoke to Joshua, and his life from that point on changed forever. The Lord said "Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the Land which I'm giving to them, to the sons of Israel. Every place on which the soles of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, and all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong, courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." The Bible then goes on to say in the next verses that Joshua starts giving directions to the people as to what their next move will be, and they listened to him.

Imagine though how Joshua felt the day when Moses told him he was to be the one to lead the people when he died. Then after the mourning period had ended God tells Joshua- "It's time!" What is also interesting is that God tells Joshua three times the same thing that Moses had told him- "Be strong and courageous!"

The death of Moses had to have been difficult for everyone especially Joshua. Filling Moses' shoes was an impossible task for anyone even Joshua, but the people needed a leader and God said he was the man to do it. Do you think Joshua ever thought to himself "How will I ever be able to do this?" I'm sure that thought crossed his mind several times, and yet God knew and understood that. God because of His goodness and understanding let Joshua know everything was going to be all right. God let Joshua know He would be with him wherever he went and encouraged him to be strong and courageous. Being the new leader of the people was an important position and one would certainly need courage, strength, and faith.

Throughout our lives, we are constantly going through changes. Change is necessary for us to go forward in God's plans for our lives. When we're face to face with change we are quick to question our capabilities and even God’s reasoning for the change. To be courageous means to do things even if we feel fearful and unsure knowing our God will see us through.

Take a good look at Joshua. He lost his friend, mentor, and someone he had admired and served for many years and then was asked to take over for him. He had to have felt unsure, and yet God encouraged him and because of that, Joshua went into his new position easier. He knew God was asking this of him and God was the one who would see him through it.

I truly believe that God is always trying to get us to the next level with him. To continually teach us about Him and knowing Him more deeply. We were never intended to always stay in one place; if we were we would never grow. Just like Joshua, God needed him to take over, lead the people, and because he did he learned a lot more about God and himself. If he had never gone on that journey he would have missed out and so would the people, he was assigned to.

God’s plans most often do not line up with ours and most often do not make sense to us. We must however always remember the plans do not have to make sense, we just need to have faith in God and do what He asks of us. We must trust that whatever God is asking of us He will handle all the details of it.

So, whatever God has asked or will ask you to do, cross over into it and be strong, courageous, and know God will never leave you alone. Know that your crossing over into a life of faith is about preparing the way for others to see Christ. It is never just about you, it's about the others you're assigned to. So cross over into faith as Joshua did. He had great faith even though this was a new journey for him and maybe even one he felt not capable enough to do, but he did it anyway. He knew that God was in control and was going to help him. God was faithful to Joshua and because of his obedience he was successful in carrying out the will of God. How about you? Are you willing to go and do all that God has asked of you even if you feel incapable and unsure? Know that is it never about us, it is about the God we serve and that through Him all things are possible.

From Gardens of Splendor by Gina Burns