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Go and Stand in the Jordan

Joshua 3:1-6, NIV

1 Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over.
2 After three days the officers went throughout the camp,
3 giving orders to the people: "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.
4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it." 혻
5 Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you." 6 Joshua said to the priests, "Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people." So they took it up and went ahead of them.

The Jordan River was in front of the Israelites when they were going toward Canaan. The Jordan River is like the obstacles we meet in our lives during times of crisis. How can we experience God's help when our way is blocked by obstacles and we cannot see any other way?

1. Jars that are ready (Jos 3:1-5).
To experience the miracle of crossing the Jordan River, we need to become jars that are ready. To do this, first we need to have faith that awakes the dawn (Jos 3:1). Joshua conquered Jericho at dawn (Jos 6:12). Abraham left home at daybreak to offer Isaac (Ge 22:3). At daybreak, the Red Sea dried up, and Jacob built an altar at Bethel (Ge 28:18). Also, Jesus woke up at early dawn and built an altar of prayer (Mk 1:35). God listens and works with those who overcome the culture of darkness and wake up at dawn (Ps 46:5). We also need to wait for God's time (Jos 3:1-2). The Israelites spent 40 years in the desert and had to wait patiently for four more days in front of the Jordan River for God?셲 time and words. Furthermore, we need to consecrate ourselves (Jos 3:5). We should keep away from sin and the world and get closer to God (Jas 4:8). Also, we need to cast away any trace of failure and negativity and become a person who is ready before God.

2. Obedience to the Word of God (Jos 3:7-9).
God always gives His Word first. We need to make decisions based on His Word and obey Him. God commanded the Israelites to follow the priest who carried the ark of the covenant (Jos 3:3, 6, 8). The Israelites obeyed God and crossed the Jordan River, following the ark of the covenant. The ark of the covenant symbolizes God's presence and His Word. For 40 years, the Israelites marched in the desert following the ark of the covenant. When they followed the ark of the covenant, God gave them manna and drove out snakes and scorpions in the desert and defeated enemies who got in their way. The key to crossing the Jordan River is to fully obey God's Word (Jos 1:8). Therefore, we need to meditate on the Word of the Lord. We need to concentrate on the Word that is proclaimed during the worship service. And when we are moved by the Holy Spirit through the Word, we need to wholly obey the Word. As a result, miracles will happen in our lives.

3. Faith with deeds (Jos 3:6).
In order to enter the Jordan, we need to have faith with deeds. When the Israelites came out of Egypt, God dried up the Red Sea first of all. However, when they were entering Canaan, God commanded them to walk into the flow of the Jordan with faith. God wanted to see mature faith. Obeying God, the Israelites followed the ark of the covenant and went into the lapping Jordan River. Then the waters of the Jordan were cut off (Jos 3:15-17). Faith with deeds is obedience. Miracles happen when there is absolute faith and obedience (Ro 1:17; Jas 2:17). We will be approved by God and receive His blessings (Ge 22:12).

Do you have problems? Make yourself ready through prayer, patience, and consecration, obey the Word of God, and march forward with faith. Then the miracle of crossing the Jordan will be yours.