10This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites.
11See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you.
l - P82
13And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap." - P82
15Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge,
16water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.
- P83
17The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.
- P83
Joshua explains to the people that as soon as the priests carrying the ark stepinto the Jordan, the waters will stop flowing. When the priests‘ feet touch thewater, the upstream flow stands in a heap, and the people cross over on dryground while the priests stand in the middle of the riverbed. - P83
After receiving God’s instructions, Joshua gathers the people to tell them God’s words regarding what they are about to witness: a miraculous affirmation that God is living and present among them. The same God who parted the Red Sea would now part the Jordan River for His people to cross. This act affirms God’s power to defeat the nations ahead and fulfill His promises to Israel. - P84
As we follow Christ, our path will not always be clear. We may even find obstacles where God leads us. - P84
But God’s Word is a sure and steady guide: It reminds us of His promises, recalls His past faithfulness, and assures us that He will continue to be with us and lead us. - P84
The people of Israel find themselves on the banks of a flooded Jordan River,
yet God had commanded them to cross it. They obey and make theirtoward the river. No sooner do the priests‘ feet touch the water than theupstream water stops and stands like a wall, allowing the entire nation tocross on dry ground. - P84
Though not every act of obedience will result in such adramatic miracle, God always honors obedience. - P84
When we step forward intrust and obedience, He makes a way even when it seems impossible. - P84
Faithmeans trusting God‘s Word more than what our eyes see. - P84
Just as the arkwent before the people of Israel, God‘s presence goes before us and openspaths we could never make for ourselves. - P84
Lord, thank you for Your living and unchanging Word. - P84
Help me to trust You even when the path seems uncertain. - P84
Teach me to obey without hesitation, knowing You are faithful to lead me and to fulfill every promise You have made. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P84
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do notbe discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
- Joshua 1:9 - P85
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