Joshua 3: 7-8 & 15-17
Last month we looked at the amazing Grace of God, how, as a free gift, Jesus set us free from sin once, for all time, and there is nothing that we can contribute to this wonderful, loving relationship. So can we conclude then, that we can just sit back a let God do everything? Since God has done it all, can we continue as we were?
“By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”(Romans 6:2). In the crossing of the Jordan the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant had to at least step into the water, then God acted miraculously and piled the water of the Jordan up so the rest of the Israelites could cross on dry ground, to the land flowing with Milk and Honey.
In the book of Exodus, when God, was trying to persuade Pharaoh “To let My people go”, each time Moses had to go and speak to Pharaoh, then hold out his hand, arm or staff, THEN God performed the Miracle, releasing each of the plagues. When Pharaoh did let God’s people go and then changed his mind and cornered the Hebrews by the Red Sea. Moses was told to hold his staff out over the waters, then God parted the waters and, again, the Hebrews crossed to freedom on dry ground (Exodus 14:15-16;). If we move to the New Testament, when Peter saw Jesus walking on the stormy waters of the lake, Peter had to take the first step and get out of the boat, then the miracle happened, and Peter walked on the water to Jesus. (Matthew 14:29).
So often God wants us to take a step of faith and then He acts, and acts miraculously. Faith is the key, did Jesus not say that with faith as small as a mustard seed we can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). Does God NEED us to act first, By no means, God created the universe, and all that is in it, including us. And all of this he did without any action or help from us.
So God wants us to talk to Him (pray) and to listen to Him, then to Step out of the boat, taking a step of faith in the assurance that He loves us, and we love him. Stepping out with no fear, for if we take the wrong step God will gently close the door, and will point us in the right direction and open the right door and then He will act. Because if, through love of Him, we demonstrate faith in him, he will faithfully demonstrate his love for us. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28).
I cannot encourage you enough, today, go down to the river Jordan, talk to God then dip your toes in and wait for God to part the waters. Then see what miraculous things God has in store, within the bounds of his overall plan.
Next month let look a bit deeper in to Romans 6:2.
