It was flood season, and the river rushed past its normal boundaries, drowning innocent rocks and climbing up tree trunks. The current, quickened by many rainy weeks, threatened to pull anyone and anything downriver toward the brackish sea. No one in their right mind would imagine stepping past the safe shore and into the deep, dangerous flow. But that was God’s plan. And to refuse that first step might have prevented a miracle for a world in crisis.
A World in Pain
As we watch the news and listen to current event podcasts, we can see what is happening. Civil war in Haiti, famine, crisis-induced inflation, abject poverty, the resurgence of once-annihilated diseases, and the mutation of new ones can overwhelm us with fear and anxiety.
Truly, the dangerous current of evil seems to be rising, threatening to wash every hope downstream.
But as he stood on the shore, faced with a decision, Joshua chose faith over fear, obedience over comfort. In Joshua 3:14-17, Israel’s courageous leader received the instructions: tell the priests to pick up the Ark of the Covenant and step into the Jordan River.
While this may seem like an innocuous command, it’s important to remember it was flood season. The Jordan was most likely at least 100 feet wide and more than 10 feet deep—impossible for the entire nation, including kids and the elderly, to cross with all their possessions!
It’s also important to remember that the priests stepped in first, carrying the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark symbolized God’s power and personal presence with His people (see Exodus 25:21-22). So, God took the first step into the water. His people just had to follow Him, trusting that He would keep His promise and make a way through.
Give Hope to a World in Crisis
Can we all agree that the world seems to be drowning in crisis after crisis?
But that’s not the end of the story. By faith, we can arm ourselves with courage and step into the current and pull our brothers and sisters out of desperation. And we can only do this because we know that God goes before us.
God is working in mighty ways among the extreme poor. We see it every day!
The question is, will you join Him in bringing hope to a world in crisis?
