When we think of God parting the waters, we always think of Moses at the Red Sea, right? Did you know in Joshua there was also a parting of the Jordan River?
“So Joshua told the Israelites, “Come and listen to what the Lord your God says. Today you will know that the living God is among you. He will surely drive out the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites ahead of you. Look, the Ark of the Covenant, which belongs to the Lord of the whole earth, will lead you across the Jordan River! Now choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. The priests will carry the Ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth. As soon as their feet touch the water, the flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will stand up like a wall.””
Joshua 3:9-13 NLT
This is a picture of the Jordan River. On average it is 33 feet wide and 6.5 feet deep. If you read the entire story in chapter 3 of Joshua, you’ll notice the Israelites never mentioned anything about how they were going to cross the Jordan. Which is surprising since they liked to complain about everything else in the wilderness (and I’m sure we can all relate to that)! To me it seems like it wasn’t even on their radar as a “problem.”
They had probably crossed rivers similar in size before. Most likely they would have waded across, resulting in their feet and clothing getting wet. It wasn't an impossible hurdle; but God said, “today you will know that the living God is among you!” He told them to follow the Ark of the Covenant-for the Israelites the Ark was God's presence. As soon as the priests carrying the Ark touched the edge of the water, the waters stopped flowing and formed a wall. He made it easier on them, when they expected to cross through water, He made a dry path to victory!
He hasn’t changed, He is doing the same for us! Just like the Israelites had to follow the Ark, we have to follow the Lord our God- follow the example of Jesus Christ. We look to those who went before us, holding up the Word of God, exalting the Father and we learn how to walk in the paths of righteousness; just like the priests who held up the Ark went before the Israelites and they followed in their path.
Then when life happens and we say “oh that’s just life” and we don’t even consider the situation a problem, God says “today you will know that the living God is among you” and He holds back the waters! He says this is what I do for those who follow me, He gives us more than we expected, he gives us new life..an abundant life, He gives us love in unexpected places. He provides better for us than what we could provide for ourselves. When we are satisfied with wading through the water to get to victory, He gives us a dry path! “For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” All it takes is for us to stay in the path of God's presence. Consider, where can you find His presence today?
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