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As we have been studying the book of Joshua, we have reflected on the fact that God wants us to live victorious Christian lives, to stop our disobedient faithless meandering through life and walk purposefully to the place that God has promised us will be the place of blessing. We have recognised the fact that we need to get our secret lives right with God before we can hope to reach out into the rest of life with any purpose.
How do we do that? By listening to God.
How do we do that? By meditating on his word.
How do we do that? By putting quality time aside to read and reflect and pray over his Word. It will speak prophetically into your life.
As we return to the people of Israel, we recall that they have wandered disobediently in the wilderness for forty years but now they are about to cross the River Jordan and enter the land promised to them by God.
They are now ready to cross over the Jordan
They are now ready to do battle with the real enemy
They are now ready for spiritual warfare and
They are now ready to enter the victorious land.
And now at long last we come to the point where they actually cross. (Hurrah!)
But just before we cross with them, let me say that this is a truly and totally committed action that they are taking. We read that as they approach the river they could not have failed to notice that the river is in flood.
Have you ever been next to a river in flood?
It is an awesome experience, not to mention a little frightening. To cross such a river can be a dangerous business; to cross such a river when there is no crossing, no bridge, no stepping stones, no rope to help you get from one side to the other, is a terrifying if not a totally insane thing to do.
How are they going to do it?
Actually that is the question the surrounding nations were asking. That is the question the whole people of Canaan were asking; how this time?
The answer is the same way as last time – by the work of God.
They're going to send the minister out first holding the Bible. Well, the OT equivalent of that action. It’s such a good job!
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