God never ceases to amaze me. Even though time after time He shows himself faithful and sovereign, somehow I still manage to have my questions and concerns of who He is calling me to be and where He is calling me to go.
I’m currently reading the first few chapters of Joshua, which basically are setting up the stage for the Israelites’ victory over Jericho. Growing up in a Christian school I’ve heard this story of Jericho 100 times! I remember marching around the perimeter of my 3rd grade classroom while we all screamed out the words to the song… “Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho… Joshua fought the battle of Jericho and the walls came a tumblin’ DOWN”. As lame as it may sound, I remember everyone being pretty excited to do this. We would continue marching and singing until the word “down” came around and then we all got to fall to the floor and whoever was the last person down was out of the game (like the falling of the walls, get it? #symbolic lol)
Moving on… although I knew this story like the back of my hand I had never really studied the scriptures prior to the battle, the process and journey God took the Israelites through to get them to the victory.
Joshua 3:7
‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river”.
For their entire lives these Israelites had been told of the Promise Land and here they were, miles away from the gates of Jericho with the raging Jordan River in between them and their promise.
Even though they had seen God’s faithfulness TIME after TIME throughout their lives I could still imagine (and couldn’t blame them) for hesitating just a second when God told them to do this.
Go and stand in the river?! Couldn’t you part the path PRIOR to us stepping in? Wouldn’t that be a little bit more efficient Lord? Nobody has to get all wet… We could see exactly where we are headed… not to question your authority or anything but just wanted to double check.
God’s promise to them was Jericho but without faith there would be no victory.
God cares a whole lot more about our character than our comfort and who am I to question His process? God has called me to this journey and has promised me the victory. I better get used to wet feet because I already know that there is going to be a Jordan at every turn of this adventure and I will GO forward in faith and STAND in faith holding onto the promise.
Whether you are a future racer, my friend or family or a roamer of blogs, I hope you are challenged and encouraged today! Go read Joshua too… it’s pretty awesome!
Amazed,
Jolene
