I’ve been meaning to write this blog since month one in South Africa, but I am just now finding the time to sit down and put my thoughts on paper. During month one and two my old team and I were studying through the book of Joshua together since it is where our name originated and the Lord showed me something that I love and have thought of often since that night.
In Joshua, chapter three, God is preparing Joshua to ready the nation of Israel to pass through the Jordan River into the Promised Land as they had when they exited Egypt through the Red Sea. This time though, the Lord tells Joshua to have the priests step into the river before it is parted to demonstrate their faith in Him. As soon as their feet touched the water, He parted it so that the nation could pass through. What I had never seen before is that these priest who entered the water first and had it actually touch their feet stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan with the Ark of the Covenant on their shoulders as the entire nation passed through the river into the Promised Land. (Joshua 3:17)
What a beautiful picture of Jesus, our priest, who entered the water first, whose feet were made wet so that ours could be spared, who stands firmly on dry ground in the midst of His people, bearing the ark of His own covenant on His shoulders in order that we can pass through from one life to the next. I keep thinking of Isaiah 43:1b-3a:
Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord you God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I love that this is our God.
