Go into the river.

In Joshua chapter 3 we have the Israelites crossing the Jordan River to go into the Promised Land. The instructions from the Lord to Joshua are that the priests were to carry the ark and go before the people. They were to go into the Jordan River and stand, while all the Israelites cross over.  Doesn’t sound like a big deal except the Jordan River was at flood stage in verse 15.


Sometimes God asks us to do things that seem strange. This is strange; go stand in a river that is at flood stage and overflowing the banks. But as they carried the Ark (God’s Presence) He was going before them. God always goes before us. He just asks us to be obedient to what He tells us to do, even if it doesn’t make sense to us.

Has God sent you into a flood? Or told you to do something that was contrary to your senses?
We can have confidence in Isaiah words.


Isa.43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.


And know this as well. God is always behind the scenes.  19 miles upstream the waters stood up in a heap. They didn’t know how they were going to cross the flood, but God was working behind the scenes.  All He wanted them to do was obey and go into the river.

Photo © W. Spoon. All Rights Reserved.  The Danube River at Bratislava, Slovakia.