Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”

Joshua 3:5

Take a deep breath before you jump!

The Israelites can see across to the Promised Land. This is finally a dream come true! But the Jordan stands between them and that land. God instructs them to camp there for three days. But why?

I can imagine them hearing the swelling waters of the Jordan, thinking about the children, the mothers, the flocks, the elderly, how can all these cross? The only answer? We need God’s intervention. We have to follow God’s instructions (3:5-9). We have to sanctify ourselves first!

There is a time for action, and there is also a time for waiting. There are times when we get in too big of a hurry and are too impatient to wait on the Lord’s time. On the other hand, there are some who lag behind and are not ready to move forward when they should.

Get your feet wet first!

And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, the waters that come down from upstream, and they shall stand as a heap.

Joshua 3:13

Most of us are not risk takers, we are people that are happy with our comfort and predictability. We don’t like it much when we are facing those defining moments, when God asks us to cross over. We like to hold on to the familiar. We want to see around the corner even before we take our first step. But God wants us to be people who are willing to grow and expand, and claim new territory.

Crossing our Jordan to take possession of the Promised Land requires a readiness to get our feet wet. This is not only serious but also risky business. In Exodus 14, God parted the waters before anyone stepped in. Forty years later God wants the feet in water before He can stop the flow of the Jordan!  

I am reminded of Deuteronomy 2:3, “You have circled this mountain long enough” (NASB). What decision are you taking too long to make? Is God calling you to serve Him in a particular way? 

We usually want God to pull the curtain back before we take the first step. But remember that a risk is only a risk if God doesn’t go with you. We need to step out by faith and trust that God will confirm our faith at the appropriate time. Be willing to get your feet wet and then wait for God to respond. God honors wet feet, not cold feet!

What about you? Are you a procrastinator, especially on things God is telling you to do? Write down steps you are going to take by faith as you heed God’s leading.

Author

Rev. Mutinda Musyimi and his wife, Jennifer, lead City Church Nairobi in Buru Buru, Nairobi, Kenya.

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