Life-Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement

When Joshua led the Israelites to the Promised Land, they stood at a defining moment—caught between their past and their future, between fear and faith. The Jordan River, wide and overflowing, was more than just a physical barrier; it was a test of their trust in God. For 40 years, they had wandered the wilderness, carrying the weight of their parents’ failure to believe. Now, at the river’s edge, they faced the same question: Would they step forward in faith, or would they falter as their ancestors had?

Their parents’ story was a cautionary tale. God had given them the opportunity to enter the land decades earlier, but they hesitated. They doubted His power, feared the giants, and questioned His provision. Because of their unbelief, they were condemned to wander the desert until their generation had passed away. Now, their children stood at the threshold of promise, staring at a river that seemed impossible to cross. Would history repeat itself, or would this generation dare to trust God where their parents had not?

The Jordan River wasn’t just a mile-wide obstacle—it was a spiritual crossroads. The water was at flood stage, its currents strong, its depth uncertain. There was no human way across. But faith isn’t about what’s humanly possible; it’s about trusting in the supernatural power of God. And what the Israelites couldn’t see was that their miracle was already in motion.

God had given Joshua a command: The priests, carrying the Ark of the Covenant—the very symbol of God’s presence—were to step into the river. Not wait for it to part. Not stand at a distance and pray for dry ground. Step in. It was a defining moment of faith.

And then, as their feet touched the water, the unimaginable happened—the river stopped flowing. Upstream, miles away, God had already begun working the miracle, holding back the waters at the city of Adam. But from where the Israelites stood, they couldn’t see it. All they knew was that the water before them receded, exposing dry ground where there had been a raging current.

Faith is often like that—a miracle unfolding where we can’t see, a breakthrough happening beyond our understanding. It requires stepping forward, even when we don’t know how God is making a way.

As the last Israelite crossed over, the nation stood on the other side—not just in a new land, but in a new chapter of faith. But before they moved forward, God commanded Joshua to do something profound. Twelve men, one from each tribe, were chosen to take stones from the riverbed and build a memorial. This wasn’t just a pile of rocks; it was a testimony. A visible, lasting reminder of what God had done.

Why? Because human hearts are forgetful. Miracles fade in memory. Victories grow dim with time. But this monument would stand as a declaration—to their children, to future generations—that God was faithful. That when they stood before the impossible, He made a way.

The crossing of the Jordan wasn’t the end of their journey—it was the beginning. Faith had brought them to this place, but faith would also be required to keep them in the land God had promised. The battles weren’t over. The challenges weren’t behind them. But now, they had a testimony to hold onto.

And so do we.

God’s faithfulness isn’t just a story from the past—it’s a reality in our present. Like the Israelites, we will face our own Jordans, our own moments of decision where fear whispers, “Stay where it’s safe,” but faith calls us to step forward. And when we do, we may not always see the miracle right away. Sometimes, God’s hand is at work upstream, beyond our sight, preparing the way long before we take the first step.

But He is always working. Always making a way.

The question is, will we trust Him enough to step in? I hope this speaks to you, and I pray you have a blessed day!