The Standing of Obedience

How many times have parents said to their children "It's ok, just jump and I'll catch you I promise?" I know that I have and for the children, it is a trust issue along with some fear I'm sure. The children first say "No" and then give you that look like they want to go for it, but are still unsure. Then after looking at you with that look they ask you to promise that if they jump you will catch them. When you agree to this for the hundredth time that is when they go for it and jump into your arms. Then because they have found out you will catch them they now trust you and want to jump again.

For Joshua and the people, he was leading there was also a situation that required trust and obedience. They had to trust that what he was about to say was indeed what they needed to do and that God would do His part.

God had told Joshua in Joshua chapter 3 when he and the people came to the edge of the Jordan River they needed to cross that he wanted the Priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant to stand in the water’s edge before anyone else. The Jordan River though at this time was at flood stage because it was harvest time. The water was flooding so much that even up over the banks the water was overflowing. So for these Priests to go stand on the edge of the flood waters with the Ark of the Covenant could have been looked at as impossible and a little frightening. Not only was this river at flood stage, but I imagine the current was flowing quickly as well.

So the moment came for Joshua to tell the Priests what God had said for them to do. Joshua told them when the Priests soles would rest in the waters, that the waters that were flowing down from above would be cut off and would stand in one heap. So when it came time to cross the river the Priests did as God commanded through Joshua and put their feet in the water's edge of the Jordan River with the Ark of the Covenant and stood still. The river just as God had said stood up in one heap and the people crossed over and even crossed over on the dry ground. The Priests stood there with the Ark of the Covenant until all the people had crossed which were about 40,000 in number. Joshua also commanded the twelve people that were previously picked out to take a stone from the bottom of the river as a memorial forever as to what had happened on that day and they did. When all the people had crossed, and this task was done the Priest then made their way over and when they stepped out, the waters returned as to how they were.

Now for Joshua, he had seen how the Red Sea was parted when Moses' was alive, and maybe for him, it was not hard to believe that this river could be separated. However, this time God had said He wanted the Priests feet to first stand in the water and then the water would separate. This time the procedure was different from Moses' experience, but Joshua obeyed what God had commanded and so did the Priests. After this miracle, God exalted Joshua in the sight of those people and they, even more, believed in him, even more as the people believed in Moses.

Joshua and the Priests were given a command to follow and maybe for some, it seemed impossible and scary, but they still obeyed and did exactly as the Lord had said. The Priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant also obeyed God through their new leader with no questions asked. Imagine what faith that took to get into the flowing floodwaters first. By their obedience, though the waters were stopped, and the people were able to cross all because of Joshua being obedient in telling them what God had said and because of the Priests being obedient. Their obedience to God made a way for these people and themselves to cross and to cross safely. Something that could have been looked at only as a way to get killed became the way to save them, but they had to first get in and get their feet wet. They had to have faith and keep reminding themselves they were being obedient to what God had said and that is when the miracle happened.

Now God may be not be asking you to step into an actual flood, but he may be asking you to take a step of obedience and just stand still on the edge of the "Floodwaters" of that problem you are facing. You see God knew the river was at flood stage and was still flowing heavily, and He also knew they needed to cross it. God though still said, "Go stand on the edge.” He was not asking them to go in the water and stand with it up to their necks, He was just asking them to get their feet wet even if it seemed impossible.

The floods of life may seem overwhelming at times to you, but remember God sees all things and knows exactly what you need and when you need it. He will never ask you to get in over your head, but He might just ask you to step into the edge of it for your miracle to happen. It may take all the faith you have but be obedient and step into the edge of the “Flood.” Stand still knowing you're stepping into it with the Lord and watch how He makes a way for you, and when you cross over you will always cross on the dry ground so to speak as those people did. What He may be asking you to do may seem impossible and scary and maybe even totally ridiculous, but be obedient to the Lord and watch what happens because of your obedience. So take that step of obedience and just stand there watching how the waters that may seem to be flooding you- separate so you can safely cross over!

From Gardens of Splendor by Gina Burns