If I’d been the foreman of the Jordan River Crossing Committee, I would have had a bridge-building exploratory team, a fording contingency, a subcommittee on rafts, and a weather detail. I might have been tempted to squat on the banks and take soil samples in an attempt to analyze our chances because I love to get organized, make a plan, and then get to work. But the Israelites were specifically instructed to follow at enough of a distance to be able to discern which way the ark was going. The ark went ahead, and the people just had to hang back and watch.
There are few things more difficult for me than to hang back and watch. Unfortunately, taking control of every job is not as practical as it seems. Turns out, I don’t always have all the information, and I’m not always right. This is a hard lesson to learn because humans are adorably hard-headed and obstinate.
God was teaching Israel to consecrate themselves to Him, to learn to walk in His ways, not their own. We are prone to put our own plans on a pedestal, then consult and seek the direction of God as an afterthought. Do you ever find yourself attempting to get Him to approve your plans, instead of seeking first His plan? Even when our plans seem so clever and fitting, we are called to wait on the Lord.
Wait on Him and He will do wonders. His ways and thoughts are higher than our own (Isaiah 55:8–9). We often try to nip at His heels, hoping we can nudge God along to do things our way. Instead, we ought to look for His timing and His wisdom, even when it may not be what we expect. Walking the ark out into the middle of a river hardly seems like a viable crossing plan. But this miracle that God performed among His people was indicative of how He works: in His own ways, unexpectedly, wondrously.
God called His people to dedicate themselves to His ways and leave the specific means to Him. J. Hudson Taylor, a missionary to China in the 1800s, once said, “God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack God’s supplies.” We are to trust God for the means to accomplish what He purposes and consecrate ourselves to follow His plan, “because the LORD will do wonders” among us and in His own time (Joshua 3:5).
How can we consecrate ourselves like this? Joshua is very clear: “Come closer and listen to the words of the LORD your God” (Joshua 3:9). We do not have a trail of priests and an ark of the covenant to follow. We have an even greater priest (Hebrews 4:14), who has opened access to the mercy seat and leads us safely through the deep waters to the greater promised land. He is the one who does wonders among us. Consecrate yourselves to Him.
Leave a Reply
118 thoughts on "Crossing the Jordan"
You have only but to stand still. Stand still, really? He says, gently, yes, really. God is so good and patient with me.
I laughed whilst reading this. How many times I pray to God about my latest whacky impulsive ideas and ask his approval. I need to learn patience and seek God first and WAIT, all will be revealed in HIS time. Um, think this could be one I struggle with for a while but I plan to keep this lesson in my mind until I get better at seeking God first.
Thank you father for your plans♥️
I love the verse “I will meet with you there above the mercy seat” Ex 25:22. Oh, how I want to meet with God in that personal, intimate way. At the mercy seat. It’s only because of His mercy that we can come before Him and He will talk to us. I want to hear His voice, telling me the way to go. I also notice that the ark, where the mercy seat is, goes before, leading the way. Where would I be without God’s mercy? His mercy has lead me so far, and will continue to lead me all the days of my life. His mercy leads me straight to Him every time.
The Lord will do wonders among you. ❤️
God ‘s running is always perfect (and funny at times). My morning was filled with PTO drama and people not understanding “my strategic thinking”. I am thankful that God has gifted me with a strategic mind and strengths. But this is a great great great reminder to remember Who is in control, and to never lose sight of Him!
Wait and follow! Stop trying to lead…this has been my challenge! Time for a NEW thing! ❤️
Let God lead us in our situation!
“The Lord will do wonders among you.”
♡
Love His perfect ways.
❤️
I honestly find myself “rushing” God to approve my plans. I don’t listen to Him like I should and trust in his plans. I need to spend more time listening to God then telling him what I want him to do.
Tammy that was in reply to your post on sharing how God has provided in your life. Wonderful!
Amen. Your living testimony! And I imagine it is bursting with promises fulfilled, big and small detailed cared for, and goodness throughout. I love the song that sings of His promises in fulfillment all over our lives, so true and so encouraging. Your post encourages me, thank you!
I heard about this plan through Annie Downs’ Podcast, “That Sounds Fun”, and I was so intrigued and wanted to come along on this Lent journey through Joshua and Mark! I’ve felt so “dry” lately and just really wanted to throw myself into His Word and remember what His truths and promises say. And this particular devotion convicted me! To truly WAIT and TRUST in the Lord is so much sweeter than carrying out my own plans. I feel I’m in a season of waiting right now, and I’m so happy that She Reads Truth is Godly tool and resource for people out there like me <3. THANK YOU SHE READS TRUTH CREW<3 ! Ya'll are awesome!
I often find myself trying to get God to approve my plans…conviction hitting hard tonight ladies
That’s psalm 77:19
19Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.
Although this is about the Red Sea crossing the message is the same. God leads even tho we don’t see His footprints
How timely! In our time of prayer last night I committed to the Lord that I would try daily to set my eyes on the plans He has for me and to not root myself up in plans I’ve contrived. Have a beautiful day, sisters!
Consecrate myself to Him!
I’m awful at sitting back.. Watching and waiting.
“Gods work done in Gods ways will never lack God’s supplies.” What a powerful quote! I make so many plans and try to force them. This is exactly what I needed to hear.
A great reminder to follow God’s plans instead of trying to have him “approve” mine.
I consecrate myself to follow God’s plan trusting that “God’s work, done in Gods way, will never lack God’s supplies.”
As a person who likes to be in control. This spoke to me. Not only fully surrendering to God’s way but consulting with him FIRST. Before the planning starts. What is God’s will. I pray I continue to desire God’s will more than my own desires/plans.
I often wonder if, while walking through on DRY GROUND (don’t tell our Father doesn’t care about even the tiniest details!), if the Israelites recalled the story of a similar water crossing told by their parents and grandparents? I imagine them walking, retelling the story to their own children. This convicted me to always remember – and tell – others the amazing ways God has provided in my life!
convicted today to boldly follow the Lord and his plans and lay down my own wants and desires. i pray my faith leads me to come closer and listen to the words of the Lord.
Lord I want to follow your plan for me and not my own!!
“Come close and listen to the words of the Lord your God.”♥️
I was asking myself “but how will I know?” Come closer, lean in, move forward. I think often times I find myself frozen without the plan. By leaning in, I’ll either be given the insight He’s designed for me or I’ll have my eyes opened to something different.
I’m so glad I’m alive in the time after the curtain was torn and I have Jesus as my priest. Not only because I don’t want to sacrifice animals, but having a line directly to God is the best. Being able to connect with him is the ultimate gift. I’m so thankful for that. Also today’s devotion was a great reminder to let him make my plans not to tell him what plans I have for us. I’m looking forward to seeing how he surprises me.
God wants us to obey and follows His instructions I order to go to the next level which is something awesome that he has planned for us. In the meantime while you have faith in Him, he shows you some awesome and Miraculous things along the way that only he can do. That shows you the power that he has! Stick with God in all things that you do!
Thanks ERB
I thought I was the only one that stopped and we read about the details of the ark: 45 inches long 27 inches wide 27 inches high overlaid with gold on both sides inside and out and how the Arcadia wood was overlaid also with gold.
The detail was pretty amazing to me in the same way whenever I was asked to build the ark God‘s instructions are always so clear in the details and why in the hell comes become pretty evident not while we’re doing it but after it’s been completed.
He tells us to be strong and courageous because he knows we will need strength and courage in this life. We will face suffering and will need to rely on HIS strength to carry us. Listen to the podcast from this week with Christine Caine- she speaks into this!
Won’t He do it! Often it’s not by my timeline or my plan, but HE is faithful & HE is in control!
Lol. Well this hits home. I always want to get ahead of the game and organize and plan then ask God for His help. If only I’d flip it by asking for His guidance first. Just need to let go of the wheel so Jesus can take it.❤
I usually don’t write much, but I do try to write one thing that stood out the most to me. Another thing if you really want to think about the text, answer just four questions-I try to keep it at 1-2 sentences. What does it say? What does it mean? How could I apply it to my life? How does this point to Christ-what’s the Christ connection? Hope that helps!
This hits home ❤️ As a planner it can be so hard to let God work, and to find peace in the waiting. My husband and I are hoping to grow our family this year, and I’m already wild this the need to control it. Seeking first the calming waters of his timing, seeking first His plan – it’s more difficult than it seems ❤️
If we truly believe that God loves us and has our best in mind, then the safest place to be is in His hands and in His plan. We do not have to be anxious for anything that comes our way. We can trust Him fully and there we will find true rest.
Yes! Love you praying for you dear friend! ❤️
Follow Him. Not nipping at His heels or nudging his timing, but trusting him from afar.
I really appreciated this tonight and the concept of letting go of our version of our lives and what we expect. There’s a difference between just asking God to bless the plans I want, and seeking God for His plan. I know it’s personally meaningful to me in things I am trying to accomplish.
Oh boy did I need to read this tonight. I was so close to not reading today. I have been suffering from Fibromyalgia for the passed year and a half now, nothing has helped. But I have now started having seizures. Trying to get in to a neurologist, que the Jeopardy music. My Mom, who is also my BFF, has been sick and has almost died so many times in this last couple of months. I want instant healing for her, and just answers for me. I have to remember to walk in God’s way, not in mine shoving him out of the way, which is making me so depressed and anxious. I have to remember to walk in his way.
❤️
What a great study today. God grabbed my heart. Just this week things have changed and the “plan” is t what we thought it would be. God knows and he has a better path.
Thank you Jesus for going before me and making the way for open connection between us and our Father.
Control! I want control, not only at home but also at work. Throughout the years I always thought giving up control was a sign of weakness. I have learned that first I have to trust God in all things and allow Him to work through me.
Your timing, Lord. Not mine. He is sovereign, Almighty, faithful … time and time again, I see his faithfulness in all areas of my life, even in the most difficult times. He is faithful ♥️
Hi Nicole, I used to fill the entire pages with notes. That was years ago. Now sometimes I write something if I have aha moment or copy a quote someone wrote that I like. And sometimes I leave it blank. I don’t stress over it and feel I have to write something there just to have something on paper. I don’t know if that helps, that’s just what I do.
I am struck by the holiness of God in this passage. Every detail of the constitution on the ark and the procession is to honor God’s holiness. Another thing: Joshua says “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.” That really spoke to me as well. That’s what we have the opportunity to do with the Bible (God’s living Word) every single day! Such an encouragement ❤️
This word spoke right to my soul. I struggle with wanting to be in control but over the past few years, God has changed my thought process to turn to Him. He is always and will always be in control. God’s plans and ways for my life are so much better than I could every imagine! For over a year, I have been praying for God’s will in my life. My husband and I are praying that we are following God’s plan for our lives and not our own plans. So thankful for this reading in Joshua today. God knows what we need when we need it. What an amazing God we serve!
“God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack God’s supplies.” …. speechless ♥️
Have faith in God. Trust his timing in all things.
I need help and guidance knowing what to write in the notes section. Do you guys have a routine you follow with what you write? I sometimes have a few thoughts but nothing that really fills the page! Help!
You are not alone Tabitha! I struggle with fear and trust as well. I like reading the posts of all these strong women and hoping and praying that someday God will heal my mind and I will be just like them❤️
Praying for all of you!!
“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”
-Micah 7:7
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you”. (Isaiah 43:1-2). Thank you Lord that you do what you promise. All we need to do is trust and follow your lead. “God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack God’s supplies.” I will cherish this reminder in my heart! He will supply.
@Rachel : praying for you and Texas. Thank you for sharing the details. I never knew how damaging this is. Praying for God to send help and restoration quickly.
@ERB: praying for your medical test. May God give you full assurance of trust during this trial. Be strong and very courageous! He goes with you.
Love this and how true. I am so often guilty of coming up with MY plans and then asking God to help me carry them out. And then I wonder why things are not working out the way I had planned or even working out at all. Recently I have been making a conscious effort to talk with God about my thoughts reminding myself to ask Him what His plans are for me and how my thinking is in line with Him or perhaps not at all.
I love that God is always in the details. It wasn’t just that He stopped the Jordan, but He made sure it was dry land that all of Israel crossed. When I reflect on God’s faithfulness I can always see how He moved not only in my circumstances but down to the smallest of details. God, you are SO good!
J. Hudson Taylor, a missionary to China in the 1800s, once said, “God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack God’s supplies.”
What an impactful quote!
Beautiful study! I love how we got to go to Hebrews and look at how Jesus is now our high priest and how he basically tore the curtain with his body. So thankful that we have Christ who allows us to approach sinful and dirty, yet extends mercy and we leave washed and sanctified.
Lisa S, thank you for sharing that info about the angels in the tomb and on the mercy seat! I think it’s the first time I heard that fact, and it gave me chills. I love seeing those connections between what God was working on in the OT and how it came to fruition in the NT through Christ Jesus. ❤
I related to the devotional on this a lot. I’m a planner and want everything organized ahead of time. I’m working on letting go of the notion that I am in control.
I very much enjoyed your commentary on this section. I have flagged it to save and reread.
I was struck by the ark being the first to “go”. God always leads, and on this side of the cross Jesus is our Shepherd who leads. We also have the indwelling Spirit!!! What security!!!
I’ve been reading the Bible chronologically and got hung up with the Ark. I love making connections- thank for sharing this!
Praying for TX, Rachel! I have family there and know it’s hard on them and everyone!
This was such a great chapter! It’s so timely and true! Waiting on God’s timing is so hard, especially since I’m such a planner!!
I love Joshua 3:5 where Joshua tells the people to consecrate themselves for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you. It reminds us that we have to prepare ourselves to receive God’s blessings and direction by seeking His face and having open and willing hearts ♥️ and minds.
@Rachel. We are indeed praying for you all. Praying for God’s protection and provision:) We have a son at an academy there… he said that due to power outages, we might not hear from him for a bit.
Our God goes before you (and is your rearguard). Praying!!!
I wanted to look up more info on the Mercy Seat and found a beautiful connection in the New Testament! The mercy Seat had one angel on each end. When Mary went to the tomb, she saw one angel on each end! “The place where God’s glory appeared when He wanted to communicate with His people”.
Hi Brenda, I don’t normally post but I connected so much with your description of fear. I was just talking about this was some good friends and in tears I just acknowledged that I don’t trust God. Ugh… even typing it makes my heart hurt. I know I should and I know He has never not showed up for me but the fear overwhelms me and lies to me and says “‘maybe this time…” or “what are you to Him?” And though I know better I let it dig it’s claws into me. I am praying for release from fear and trust that knows no bounds for all of us wrestling today. Though I am not glad for your fear, I am comforted to know that I am not alone.
So true Kayla we have to continuously go back to God’s word!
Amen!
The rest of that verse is the promise” for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. “Look up the promises of God that are special to you. Write them down and review them. I loved the thing that time that said spending time in the word and with Jesus doesn’t change our circumstances but it changes our prospective. God is either big enough to get me thru this or he isn’t. God is either in control or he isn’t. These things settle me down sometimes. You know that verse taking every thought captive. Applies to my fear also. I always thought it was taking captive my thoughts of I don’t like this person or dwelling on ck my grudges but it applies here too. Stop my fearful thoughts and anxieties and repeat thoughts of God and his promises and what he’s V done.
God speak to his people. God gives instructions to his people. God dose wonders for his people.
Praise God! Jesus, by His blood, has made it possible for us to approach God Almighty, our Holy Father. And He invites us because He wants us near.
Rachel. Praying for you right now. I seldom posting but I read others posts and requests. Praying for peace and release from fear for you. We are in rural southern Illinois and you are right we don’t appreciate what you are facing. I can appreciate your fear. I have been dealing with fear and anxiety this whole year due to aging problems and loss of my ability to control . I know I’ve always been a take charge person I will get it done. I’ll just work harder. Boy dealing with my inability to control my physical health has dropped me to my knees. Here’s what just this week Gods said to me. Hope it helps you in this situation you are in. When we read in Joshua 1:9. Do not be afraid or discouraged. My study bible said the word for dismayed or discouraged was broken down with fear. I thought. That is me. No matter what the situation even something minor I am broken down with fear. My husband even said. “What is wrong with you ? It’s like you go crazy even when it’s no big deal. “. He’s right. And I hate it and it is a terrible testimony for someone who is suppose to trust God but it is real for me. So what to do. Focus on God. Keep eyes on God. All the things we’ve learned. Rememberance. How he’s taken care of us in the past.
One thing I loved about today’s reading: God didn’t call them to cross a dangerous river as individuals. He called them to community. As a group, they made a major change, choosing to trust God’s plan together. Even the priests were grouped! Not always does God call us to move in groups, but oftentimes as He is training us for major miracle moments, He seems to want us to have fellow Christians who have experienced the same thing with us so that we can verify that He is the One leading and moving. One more call for us to commit to the local church and develop godly friendships.
What a great reminder today that God is in control and I need to wait on Him and His timing. These last few months there has just been one thing after another and in it God has been faithful and now yelling in my face right now “I got you…trust me”. Why do I fight it so much?
❤️
Rachel, praying with you for Texas. Lord, please be with Rachel and her family. Lord God, help the power get back on quickly, Help all those who need it right now Jesus draw near to those in danger. Protect them, bring help God. You know what is happening Lord please send your mercy over Texas. I n Jesus name. Let’s pray sisters. Read Rachel’s comment prayers needed right now! I will keep praying Rachel and tell others.
As we begin our time in Joshua, the Israelites are pumped and ready to be obedient to God through Joshua’s leadership…but we know this doesn’t last (just like with Moses). I felt like this was such a parallel to our own walks with God today. We become inspired or encouraged to trust Him and be obedient to His plans for our lives, but then something causes that obedience to fade or shift. Whether fear or uncertainty, or the tendency to attempt to push our own agenda ahead of God’s. Consecrating ourselves to God again and again can help us stay the path. When we keep our eyes fixed on God and rededicate ourselves to Him regularly, we can more easily remain obedient and humble ourselves before His will in our lives.
Yes! First studying Joshua, then Mark
❤️
It’s so easy to run ourselves thin trying to plan and do our own thing … I needed this today. God is telling me to wait , be patient and trust his plan for me.
This is part one
I am encouraged and blessed by your post.
I am a medical student and everything in my life is scheduled. I am constantly working toward deadlines and the next exam. It is go, go, go and don’t waste time. This combined with my type A personality makes waiting for God seem impossible and inefficient. I have found myself frustrated when I make plans and they don’t seem to pan out. I make deadlines for myself in my personal life all the time. This was such a great reminder that my soul needed today that God’s ways and plans are so much higher than my own and putting him on a deadline points so clearly to my pride and me wanting my way. Thank you so much for giving me the lens to see where my frustration is actually coming from. Praise God that He is patient and gracious with us.
I love the contrast between “come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God” and “keep a distance between you and the ark of the covenant. Don’t come near it”
It reminds me of the respect and honor due to the place where the Lord dwells. He is high and mighty and we don’t have the right (because of our sin) to approach him…. yet, in his great love, he made a way (through Jesus) so we CAN approach him and have intimate conversations with him and hear his words.
Amen!!!!!
It reminded me that God’s plans supersede any of our own plans. God’s ways are far above mine. I need to be close to Him so I just flow with His plan. What a Wonderful Savior!!
I love how God works. Rebecca hit it right on the nail for me this morning. “Even when our plans seem so clever and fitting, we are called to wait on the Lord“
How fitting it is to be reminded of God’s faithfulness and trusting His plan today. This devotion made mr reflect over certain situations in my life and remember that none of my life right NOW was my plan, and yet it’s the most amazing my life has ever been (pandemic and all!). How God orchestrates the circumstances in our lives is wondrous, never what I imagined, but what I always wanted.
Be still and listen to God for his way is better then our own.. prayers for all
God’s way, God’s time! As we live in a world of instant gratification these words can be hard to live by! But I try my hardest to trust in him and his timing. It is almost never fast, but it is true and given to us with our faith in him. He is such a loving God! Thank you God for seeing us through!
Y’all. Please pray for Texas & Houston. Some are 48+ hrs without power. Pipes are bursting left and right. Everyone I know has almost one or both problems. We somehow still have power…. but not sure for how long. We are also about to get slammed with some more rain today and freezing temps over night causing some more ice and possible damage to power lines and more power grids/plants/etc. This is scary. If you live up north you may be tempted to laugh at us, but our infrastructure is just not made for this, our houses and pipes aren’t insulated for this weather. They have never needed to be. It’s like if you woke up and a cat 4/5 hurricane was heading your way. You wouldn’t be prepared either!
Please please pray. People are dying. Stores haven’t gotten deliveries in days… it’s a real tragedy! I don’t think I’ve ever been this anxious since Harvey.
Love this passage. Sometimes it takes the faith to step into the waters, before we see what God is really going to do. Praying I would draw near to him and seek his kingdom and his righteousness first…especially as I wait to hear if I get a graduate student position. It’s a little scary and yet exciting, because I’m shifting fields from what my major is…but I know he is in control. I feel peace about my decision, and I am trying to keep open hands. He has a plan and always will. He’s in control.
ERB, prayers are with you!
Wait, listen, trust and follow. The Lord our God does all things for good and His plan will be done on His time, we need only to be still.
Is this the lent study? I can’t find it anywhere. Tia!
When I read the part of the devotion that said: “Do you ever find yourself attempting to get Him to approve your plans, instead of seeking first His plan?” I laughed out loud and said to myself “Uh, YES. ALL the time.”
What a good perspective shift especially in this season of job hunting for my first “big-girl” job post-grad school!
“Wait on the Lord and He will do wonders.” I claim that truth today! I want to seek His plan first, not my own.
I also love the dichotomy in the first two Old Testament passages where the people could not go near to the ark of the covenant, then in Hebrews it says “DRAW NEAR”. What access we have to the Father through Jesus!
Happy Ash Wednesday sisters!
We are following an even greater High Priest who opened access to the mercy seat and leads us through deep waters. Thank you Jesus!
God’s work, done in God’s way. will never lack God’s supplies. ♥️
I was struck that God stopped the flood waters- not the wimpy waters of a fraught or dry season but the abundant waters that over flowed. Just to lead us where He wants us to go.
Trust. Obey. Follow. God is a God of the details. His ways are perfect. “Wait on Him and He will do wonders. His ways and thoughts are higher than our own” Isaiah 55:8-9. When I get impatient or stubborn and don’t wait on God or seek His will, I make a mess!!! Trust. Obey. Follow.
Come closer, and listen…wait on Him and He will do wonders…I needed these words today!
Did anyone else notice that Acacia wood played an interconnected role in today’s scripture readings? Joshua 3:1 and Exodus 25:10 both mention it. And both times that it’s mentioned God does wondrous things!!! Splits the Jordan and Describes how the Ark should be built. I LOVE when God does stuff like this!! His attention to detail always astounds me!!! I also love how this small seemingly insignificant detail shows how God interweaves ALL His plans so that we may know and recognize Him and His faithfulness in all the little things as well as the big ones!!
There is also something significant about the priests and the Ark of the covenant going BEFORE the people. They walked about a thousand feet ahead of them. “Preparing” the way… a literal symbol that (if we let Him) God ALWAYS goes before us and makes our way secure. Such an INCREDIBLE BLESSING and GIFT!!!
I was curious about Mercy Seat… because I wasn’t familiar with this description so I looked it up! It is the LID on the Ark of the Covenant and it means: the throne of God regarded as a place of divine access, communion, or propitiation. How COOL is that?!!
I also looked up the definition of Consecrate (make or declare sacred) because I wanted to get the full picture of what Joshua was asking the people to do: “Consecrate Yourselves” which essentially means to wholly dedicate yourself to something of greatest important. What an amazing thing!!! WHOLLY & COMPLETELY dedicating ourselves to God so that He can go before us and do WONDROUS things!!!!
Prayer Request Update: Today is the day of my 24hr medical test. My appointment is at 12.30pm EST. I was SO BLESSED and ENCOURAGED by all your prayers for this yesterday and I hope you will keep praying for me today and tomorrow (when the test will be done) and I will definitely keep you posted!!! I might not get results right away…but I will keep you posted!!! Thank you again beautiful and wonderfully-faithful sisters!! May His will be done!! ❤️❤️❤️
This really hit me too ♥️
“Wait on Him and he will do wonders” There is so much truth in this statement!
“Come closer and listen…HE is the one who WILL do wonders among you…consecrate yourselves…”
Draw me close lord!
Gods way. He will supply whatever we need if we walk in His Way! What a powerful and timely reminder.
I’m often guilty of seeking God’s approval of my plans instead of asking him for his. As I go through a transitional period in my life professionally and personally I needed this to remind me…come closer and listen ❤️.
I love this Scripture: Isaiah 55:8–9 (CSB): 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
and your ways are not my ways.”
This is the LORD’s declaration.
9 “For as heaven is higher than earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
A reminder that He is all powerful and Sovereign. Aren’t you glad to know He is Who we can trust and rely on. This is the God that we should praise and honor! He doesn’t think like humans. He isn’t cunning or deceitful. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. He is Holy and Good. May we see Him rightly and be in awe and reverence Him as we should. He is the only and Most High God. Amen
We do not have priests carrying the ark. We have God’s Word. We have the Holy Spirit indwelling us. We have Jesus Christ, our brother, our Savior, our advocate before the Father. Our God provides. Lord, give us clear vision to see your way and your will. May we understand your word and direction upon our heart and mind. May our lips praise You. Help us to wait on your timing. The waiting grows us more like You. Rushing into the current on our own knocks us to our knees and leaves us wet, cold, and spouting up water. May our focus be on You and our steps straight, across dry ground, to the place of your calling and plan. We can and will trust You. Amen.
I’m not much of a risk taker. This whole cross the Jordan River sounds way too risky to me. I probably would have dropped back and let a few thousand people go first, just to see if they made it across. By dropping back though, I’d have a less than clear view of what was happening. Those directly behind the ark had a front row seat to this miracle. How often do I drop back and cautiously wait for God’s plan to unfold rather than confidently moving forward, anticipating seeing Him do what only He can do? Do I trust Him to part the waters of my current circumstances? How risky is it, really, to follow God who promises to never leave me or forsake me, who walks through the shadows with me, whose every promise is a sure bet? Why settle for a glimpse of His wonders when He wants me to have a front row seat? Rather than hesitate, let me take hold of His hand. He knows what He’s doing, where He’s going. He’ll get me where He wants me to be. He’s parted waters. He’s walked on water. He’s calmed storms. What have I to fear?
“God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack God’s supplies.” That’s soooo good!
I shall wait on you lord!
Lord God, help me to consecrate my life and self to you. Help me to come closer and listen to your words Lord God. May I learn to Wait on You and You Lord, will do wonders. Your ways, and thoughts Lord, are higher than our own. Help me Lord God to be all in for you..
Thank you Lord, for Jesus, our source and supply to you..thank you, Lord, thank you.
Amen.
I am reminded of the words of the hymn.. Take my life and let it be.. consecrated Lord to thee.. by Francis Havergal.
Happy Wednesday! Wrapped in blessings and prayers…❤