Inspired by my reading of the story of Israel crossing the river Jordan into the promised land (Joshua 1 – 3).
God spoke to Joshua to get Israel ready to cross river Jordan, to go in to possess the promised land. I imagine the excitement and anticipation as Israel prepared to cross the river. Forty years and an entire generation had passed since they were delivered from Egypt. Although most of the population did not witness the red sea crossing, they would had heard their parents talked about how God parted the sea before their eyes, and how they walked into the sea on dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right and left. There was expectation. Was God going to do the same for them?
Jordan was flooded at the time of the crossing and the Lord had told Joshua to command the priests who bore the ark of the covenant go to the edge of the water of Jordan and stand in the Jordan. So they did.
Josh 3:15-17
“and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water… that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam… So the waters that went down… failed and were cut off… Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan.”
I imagine the priests had to stand firm because the miracle did not happen immediately before their eyes. The waters stood still and rose in a heap very far away. Some scholars believe it was 30-50km away. It was so far away that they could not see the miracle as it was happening. I believe it would also take time, maybe hours, before the river dried up where they stood. Doubt thrives in the times of waiting; when hope is deferred. Yet, they stood firm till the river where they stood became dry so the rest of Israel can cross over into the promised land on dry ground.
This is one story I turn to for strength when I feel discouraged. Perhaps, if I can muster enough courage to stand firm, others can also cross over on dry ground.
The author of this tile has requested to remain anonymous.