Arise. Cross Over Your Jordan

"After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: 'Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them - the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.'"
(Joshua 1:1-3)

Moses has died and now God is commissioning Joshua, Moses' assistant, to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Can you imagine what Joshua must have been feeling? Can you imagine the thoughts running rampant through his mind as he considers what the Lord requires of him?

Whoo-eeee!! I would have been shaking in my boots and, like Moses, I can see myself arguing with God about His selection of personnel for this enormous task.

But look at how God speaks to Joshua. See if you can hear His Father's voice. I can almost see the Lord placing His arm around Joshua's shoulder as they walk together. The Lord says, "Joshua, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land I am giving you."

"...go over this Jordan..."

This is interesting. The Jordan River is typically about 100 feet wide. It is calm, shallow and very easy to cross. But, in the spring it swells to almost a mile in width and becomes a raging torrent!

This raging torrent is what Joshua is seeing. But God, in my imagination, says, "Joshua. This is nothing. Come, go over this Jordan. I am with you. Do not be afraid. Trust Me. You have to cross over - get to the other side - in order to enter your Promised Land."

And then God tells Joshua, "Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses."

The Hebrew word for tread is darach (dah-rahch) which "suggests a more forceful activity than walking" (The Spirit-Filled Life Bible commentary). It is thought that marching most accurately describes darach - treading. When I think of marching I immediately think of soldiers marching into battle.

The Promised Land didn't come easy to Joshua and the Israelites.
The Promised Land doesn't come easily to us either.

But do you see what the Lord is saying? He says, "March! You've got your marching orders, now march! Every place the sole of your foot will tread upon (as you march) I have given you.'

Not, "WILL give you."
Not, "MIGHT give you."

God says, "I HAVE given you."

God fights our battles - He goes before us in victory. I think we need to approach the path He has for us as a soldier - not meandering, not tip-toeing through the tulips, but MARCHING - intentionally going forth - knowing that we have been made more than conquerors through the Blood of Jesus Christ. Knowing that we are not alone. And knowing that we have a job to do.

Would you do me a favor? Close your eyes and imagine the Lord placing His arm around your shoulder and walking with you to the edge of your Jordan. Can you hear Him speaking to you? "Arise. Come go over this Jordan"

I'll pray for you if you'll pray for me. That Jordan still looks a little scary...

Lord, You are so awesome. Thank You for showing us Your Father's heart. We need courage, Lord, to conquer the land You have given us. Help us get that mindset - the one that tells us the battle has been won, the land HAS been given to us. I ask for Your perfect love that casts away all fear. You tell us that it is "not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit". Make that a reality in us, Lord. Help us to walk in that Truth. Thank You, Lord.