Scripture:

“So the men did as Joshua had commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan River, one for each tribe, just as the Lord had told Joshua. They carried them to the place where they camped for the night and constructed the memorial there. Joshua also set up another pile of twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, at the place where the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant were standing. And they are there to this day. The priests who were carrying the Ark stood in the middle of the river until all of the Lord’s commands that Moses had given to Joshua were carried out. Meanwhile, the people hurried across the riverbed. And when everyone was safely on the other side, the priests crossed over with the Ark of the Lord as the people watched.

 

The armed warriors from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh led the Israelites across the Jordan, just as Moses had directed. These armed men—about 40,000 strong—were ready for battle, and the Lord was with them as they crossed over to the plains of Jericho. That day the Lord made Joshua a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites, and for the rest of his life they revered him as much as they had revered Moses.” Joshua 4:8-14 (NLT)

Perspective:

Joshua was leading the Israelites to the Promised Land, which represented a new location and season for the people. In order to enter the Promised Land, they had to cross the Jordan River during its flood stage. The people who were about to cross would have heard about the stories of crossing the Red Sea on dry ground from their parents. They experienced only what they had heard about when they set foot in the river – crossing on dry ground. The people did not linger in the river, but they understood that the river would only remain parted for a period of time. However, Joshua didn’t want the people to forget what God had done as the Israelites had forgotten God’s power 40 years earlier. Twelve large stones were collected from the bottom of the river and used to memorialize that moment. Every time the people doubted God in their new season, they could go back and look at the memorial to remember God’s power. Joshua was one of the men who believed God 40 years earlier when he stepped foot into the Promised Land, and he continually believed God as he led the people. Joshua was taking the people to a new place, but he was walking in the footsteps of one of the greatest leaders who experienced God’s power firsthand, Moses. As Joshua was obedient and faithful, God gave him prominence in his position that his previous experience might not have garnered. He would lead the people into a new season with the same God who parted the Red Sea and the Jordan River. Although the terrain looked different, God, whom Joshua served, was the same in all seasons.

 

As you walk into a new season of your life, family, or ministry, it can be challenging to believe God, because the terrain looks different than where you have been. If God has previously given you victory, don’t lose sight of His power on the way to where you are going. The God who saved you, healed you, delivered you, and restored you is the same God who can lead you. You may be leading your family, a group of people at work, a church, or an organization. As you lead others, God can guide you to experience His miraculous power in a new way. Remember what God has done, but don’t forget what God can do. The same God who restored your marriage when it was on the brink of divorce is the same God who can conceive new life in a womb, heal disease, and help you overcome your fears. He is the God who makes a way through impossible situations for His glory and your good. The next time you face a challenge that seems greater than you, remember where God has led you thus far and His power to work in any situation. Though it may be tempting, don’t allow the fear of a new season to keep you on the wrong side of the Jordan River longer than you should be. We serve a God who is able to lead us where we couldn’t walk on our own.

 

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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About Hona Amer

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