This is the time of year many folks take a beach vacation. They post selfies of their sand-glazed toes, as they recline on the beach. But, I'm not at the beach, nor is that the significance of this title.
The place the Israelites left from before crossing the Jordan into the unconquered portion of The Promised Land was called Shittim or the Acacia Grove, in some translations. We read in Micah 6:5-9 that later that place would be marked by idolatry. But, in Joshua's day, it merely represented the last outpost of wilderness wandering.
The People were tired of promises deferred, they were wilderness-weary and ready for God's plan. It took 40 years in the wilderness to get them in such a state. They had to be that ready, that desperate for God, in order for them to stick their toes in the water.
God, as He so often does, asked them to do "the impossible" - - - move thousands of people across a flooded, swollen, raging river. It was a severe test of their faith, which began with a first step.
The Jordan in its highly turbulent harvest-time flood stage represents the severe trials that God often allows to confront us. He is looking for a response of faith. For the one who does not yet know Him, that step of faith, putting toes in the water, leads immediately to eternal salvation. For the believer, the response of faith leads to imitation of Jesus Christ and greater intimacy with Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
It is important to note that, in Joshua 3, the ark of the covenant, which represented the presence of Jehovah God, went ahead of the People. They were not attempting such an "impossible" feat in their own power.
14 When the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of the people. 15 Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan, their feet touched the water at its edge 16 and the water flowing downstream stood still, rising up in a mass that extended as far as[f] Adam, a city next to Zarethan. The water flowing downstream into the Sea of the Arabah (the Dead Sea) was completely cut off, and the people crossed opposite Jericho. 17 The priests carrying the ark of the Lord’s covenant stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed on dry ground until the entire nation had finished crossing the Jordan.
As the Levitical priests of the Israelites led them forward in faith, God made a way for them. Not only did He dam up the water upstream immediately, but simultaneously the riverbed became dry. The people did not have to slog through the mud as they crossed into the land of God's promises. No, they crossed through on dry land. Nor did they have to do this alone. He was right there with them.
Our Savior is every day calling us closer to Him through our life's circumstances. Nothing is accidental or incidental. What will be our response? Will we "bow up" and refuse to step out in faith? Or, will we trust His plan, His hand?
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
Psalm 34:5
What is He calling you to, leading you to, today? Step out in faith, sticking your toes in the water. You will never be disappointed!
Father, none of us knows what this day holds, or the next or the next. We make our plans, but You alone know our future. We can rest in the secure knowledge that nothing touches us unless it first has your permission. You allow adverse circumstances, often heartbreaking events, to confront us. Oh please, don't let these drive us farther from You! Rest and peace are only found when we exercise faith by running to You. You have promised that, no matter what, You will never leave or forsake us. Thank you for loving us more than we can ever imagine! In Jesus' name, amen.
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