Impact - Day 20

Day 20 – Dry Ground

Joshua 3:14-16. So the people left their camp to cross the Jordan, and the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them. It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho.

This is the day. You know the feeling of waking up with anticipation because it is your birthday, Christmas, or graduation. That is the mood of the Children of Israel as they see the Levite Priests emerge from the Tabernacle carrying the Ark. The massive crowd of Hebrews gives the priests a half-mile headstart as instructed and sets out behind.

In contrast to Joshua at the Jordan River, Moses approached the Red Sea to lead the exodus of these people from Egypt, raised his hands, and God parted the waters for their passage. This is the way I prefer things to happen. God provides the miracle. It is evident and clear. We wait on the dry shore until He miraculously parts the water. Not so for Joshua and God’s people moving across the Jordan.

The first difference between these two stories is that Joshua isn’t at the front of the line. He will lead with power and the undeniable stamp of God’s approval. This event will result in the people's complete allegiance being transferred from their loyalty to Moses. Joshua follows God’s unique instructions. Those carrying the symbol of God’s presence, the Ark, will go first. The second profound difference is that these representatives are asked to wade into the floodwaters of the Jordan before God acts. Do the first priests into the water need to go ankle, knee, or waist deep? Will the rushing waters threaten their balance? How long is the interval between these first soggy footsteps and the river backing up? 

The moment comes in full view of the waiting crowd. This is no minor miracle as the waters roll back under the priests’ feet. Commentators suggest the effect is a 120-foot wall of water, 2 miles wide, creating at least 20 miles of dry ground as the people of God move across into Canaan. The priests position the Ark in the middle of the river as this organized march commences. There is no need for single file lines. The highway God has created is ample for His people to move quickly.

There it is. One detail changed. Forty years earlier, God had given the gift of entry into the Promised Land. But the people equivocated in fear. They couldn’t see the highway ahead of time, so they complained, whined, lost momentum, and stalled. Now, by faith, they stepped into the rushing unknown and laid claim to the miracle God had always intended. Undoubtedly, the words of Joshua 1:3 rang in their ears, “Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you.” 

1. What are some of the tasks you need to complete today? Do you have clarity on how to do them? How does that make you feel?
2. On a scale of 1-10, how easy is it for you to start a task before clarifying all the details?
3. What part of your spiritual journey do you sense God inviting you to step out in faith to see how He will guide you? What would you like to say to Him about this?