A new leader, a new day, and a new command! A familiar obstacle! The same God! The same dry ground! Welcome to the Book of Joshua!
In the reading this morning, Israel is about to take possession of the Promised Land, but in front of them is a river at flood stage. It’s not like this river is a trickling brook in the middle of a drought; no, it’s overflowing its banks! What does Israel do? What does God do?
So the people left their camp to cross the Jordan, and the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them. It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho. Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by. They waited there until the whole nation of Israel had crossed the Jordan on dry ground. (Joshua 3:14–17, NLT)
This is the second time Israel has crossed a body of water on dry ground. Forty years earlier, it crossed the Red Sea on dry ground. As I thought about these two crossings, I couldn’t help but notice both the differences and the similarities.
The differences? The last time, the enemy was behind them; this time, the enemy was before them. The last time, they were being chased; this time, they were advancing. The last time, the waters parted before they stepped in; this time, they parted after their feet touched the water. The last time, the enemy was vanquished; this time, they built a memorial. The last time, they were filled with fear; this time, the enemy was filled with fear.
Before the spies went to sleep that night, Rahab went up on the roof to talk with them. “I know the Lord has given you this land,” she told them. “We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror. For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed. (Joshua 2:8–10, NLT)
What are the similarities? Same God, same faithfulness, same power, same dry ground!
Believer, do you need some dry ground in your life? Perhaps the enemy is chasing you? Don’t look behind in fear; look ahead—when you need it, the ground will be dry! Perhaps God has made the next step clear in your walk of faith, but there is a flooded river in front of you. Obey and take that next step! You will only get your feet wet, not muddy—God will dry out the ground for you!
Believers, let us rejoice; we have the same God, and He is still drying the ground for His children!
Thank you for joining with me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Joshua 1:1-4:24.
I like how everyday you post something that is always so helpful to read about.
Thank you Matt for sharing your thoughts.
You are welcome!