by Mitchell Skelton

In the opening pages of Joshua, we find that Moses has died and God then comes to Joshua. God speaks to him saying, "Get ready to cross the Jordan into the land I am about to give to you." So Joshua and the Israelites get ready to cross over Jordan to receive their inheritance. They had been wandering in the desert for forty years waiting for God to allow them entrance into the Promised Land. Now the time was upon them and Joshua gives instructions as to how they were to cross. "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it." Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you" (Josh. 3:3,5).

Joshua's instructions were simple: Follow the Ark, Consecrate Yourself, and Prepare for Amazing Things. Could it be this easy? After all these years of wandering and waiting, they would simply cross the Jordan and everything would be theirs. But was it that easy? "So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest" (Josh. 3:14,15).

Can you imagine how the Israelites must have felt? As much grumbling as they had done while in the wilderness don't you think the thought had crossed at least one of their minds, "You would think that after 40 years God could have picked a better time for us to cross the Jordan other than when its flooding."

What about you, have you ever been at flood stage in your life? A time when it seemed that just when everything was finally going your way and things were going to work out, BOOM here comes the flood and there seems to be no way to get through it? There are spiritual obstacles as well, things that hinder us and stand in the way of our receiving God's inheritance for us. These obstacles stand between where we are in our walk with God and where we should be. We know we need to be doing more for God, but we find these obstacles in the way. Satan is the master at placing obstacles in our way. When things get tough in your life that is the time to look at what God did for Joshua and Israel.

Following God

In preparation for crossing a flooded Jordan River, Joshua told the Israelites to Follow the Ark, which is where God was. The ark represented the very presence of God. God was not asking them to go alone. He was going ahead of them to make a path through their obstacle. When times get tough in your life, it is not the time to quit on God. It is time to follow God! God is active and at work in the world today helping those who will follow Him. "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" (Rom. 8:28). Follow God and He will help you overcome your obstacle.

Consecrate Yourself

God cannot have evil in His presence. If we are going to follow God then we must do as the Israelites did and consecrate or purify ourselves. "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up" (Js. 4:8—10). The way we live should be an all out effort to please God.

Prepare for Amazing Things

The Lord promised to bring great things to the Israelites if they would follow him. God's presence would go out before them. God's presence is already going out before you into your obstacles. The only question is Will you follow Him?

Do you ever wonder why God waited for the Jordan to be at flood stage before he sent Israel across? Remember what Joshua 3:15 says, "Now the Jordan is at flood stage ALL DURING THE HARVEST." God was sending Israel in to take their inheritance at harvest time. God was providing food for them even though they had not planted any crops. God was preparing for them to receive their inheritance in abundance!

Is your life at flood stage? Don't give up! Follow God who has gone ahead of you into your obstacle. Consecrate yourself and prepare for amazing things. The flood in your life is just a sign of the great harvest that is on the other side!

"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" (Heb. 12:7—11). Hold firmly to your faith in your afflictions. Follow God and cross over into an abundant harvest.