Tag Archives: Joshua

I looked over Jordan and what did I see…

Well no, it wasn’t angels, but seeing the Jordan River for the first time was a little surprising.

If you’re any kind of student of the Bible you know the Jordan River pops up in Scripture over and over. Joshua led Israel over the Jordan up to John the Baptizer preaching in the Jordan when Jesus said to him: “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” (Matt 3: 13-17) I’ve always had an image of the Jordan being much grander, bigger. We went to the headwaters of the Jordan, up in the Golan Heights and it was a brook, an impressive brook, but no more than five feet wide. I’ve seen the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Susquehanna, the Hudson River, the East River, heck the Charles River, the Jordan isn’t even close. But in terms of our Lord being baptized in that river, there is nothing even close to the Jordan.

In His time and His way

Henry Blackaby in his book “Experiencing God day by Day” talks about how different persons in the Bible had to wait on God, He made promises to them, but those promises would be fulfilled in His time not theirs. He talks about how Joshua was promised that he would conquer the Holy Land, despite long odds. After all was said and done Joshua looked back and realized what an amazing work Yahweh had done. The same can be said for Abraham and Sarah, David, Moses. Looking back on my own life, I realize what amazing things that God has done in my life. But I’ve noticed that He usually works very subtly. True Yahweh parts the Red Sea for Moses, and does other supernatural works, when necessary. But God has made a universe that is extraordinary and also very structured. Most scientist today will agree that the universe looks like it has been designed to be the way it is. All the forces of nature, all of creation are just so extraordinary, so why would God normally step out of His extraordinary creation?

Since He set up the universe His way, it makes sense that He is going to operate in that universe according to the way He set it up. God has done amazing things in my life, I’m sure He’s moved in your life too. I’ve often looked back, journaled about what He has done after the fact and been in awe of the things He has done.

Take some time and really look back on your life. Quit being so presumptuous thinking that God has to swoop in like Superman and save the day. He is going to do what is necessary, but also in a way that you will grow as His disciple.  God won’t jump through hoops and perform for you. It’s not about you, it’s about glorifying our God who has done so many amazing things in our lives. ImageImage