This post is written by Charity Dera and is published as a companion to Unit 7, Session 2 of The Gospel Project for Adults Vol. 3 (Spring 2022): From Conquest to a Kingdom.
Danger confronts them at every turn. Waters crash down from afar as if to terrorize them. All of their hopes and dreams hinge upon surviving this one moment, yet the threat of death taunts them with every step taken.
Walking on Purpose
Ironically, it is with their steps that they inch nearer in proximity to the very danger that could kill them. They appear to be a procession of fools—engaging the fierce currents that have the power to overtake them. Yet they are not panicked. Their eyes are set on following something precious from a distance. Their grounded stride gives the impression that they have confidence in something, or perhaps someone, who goes before them.
They walk on purpose, for a purpose, as if the apparent danger that they are up against doesn’t compete with the presence with them. It is clear that either they are pursuing self sabotage, or they have some supernatural foresight that they will make it to the other side of this obstacle. Either way, their actions indicate that the object of their faith leads the way as they follow at all costs.
Crossing the Jordan
This imaginative recount of the Israelites approaching the waters of the Jordan River (Joshua 3:14-17) from a bystander’s perspective helps to show how risky the venture actually was. From the outside looking in, the Israelites appeared to be defying the voice of logic. What would possess them to do such a thing? It’s not that the dangers that awaited them disappeared as they approached the ravenous currents of the Jordan River (Joshua 3:15). Nor was it the case that they were oblivious to the power of the elements in their path. But rather, they were convinced that God’s presence with them superseded any obstacle that would attempt to destroy them.
As the Israelite priests went ahead of God’s people while carrying the ark of the covenant, the tangible representation of the Lord’s presence, God’s people followed from a distance. God’s presence would show them the way they ought to go and simultaneously prepare a way for them to cross the Jordan River, according to God’s plan. Apart from God’s presence with them, they would have been lost wanderers set up for doom as they approached a river that had the capacity to rip them to shreds.
God, the One that their faith was anchored in, was doing all of the heavy lifting for His beloved people, however His people still had to put one foot in front of the other and stride toward their destination. Their actions still had to align with what they believed God would do in their midst. It is by faith that Joshua and God’s people were able to cross the Jordan River on dry ground to get to the land God vowed to give them. Yet it was the Lord who did the impossible and caused the downstream waters to stop flowing in a heap (Joshua 3:16), making a way out of no way—just as He said He would.
God Continues to Make a Way
We, as God’s people in Christ, were also lost wanderers approaching the inevitable terror of death. Due to our heinous offenses in the sight of God, we deserved the death penalty and were eternally blocked from getting to Him. Yet, miraculously so, the only One who had the power to save the offended party—God Himself—sent His Son to live the righteous life that we were incapable of living.
Christ was without sin and perfectly loved His Father which enabled Him to perfectly love people. Then, He died. He died in our place soaking up all of our disgraceful offenses. But, He didn’t stay in the grave! He resurrected to life and in doing so, prepared a way for broken, offensive people to know and love God forever.
Yet, in faith, we have a responsibility to put one foot in front of the other and believe that the God who saved us will keep us as we follow His presence into our Promised Land of eternity and ultimately a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21). What a joy we have in knowing that like the people of Israel, regardless of the obstacles and impossible situations we may face, our God goes before us and dedicates Himself to us until the very end!
Charity Dera is a disciple of Christ, wife to Fenol, and mom to Landon. She attends Living Faith Bible Fellowship in Tampa, Florida, where she serves and worships. Charity is the author of Good Girls Hidden Sins: Shining the Light on the Darkness.