Do As You’re Told
or do as you please…
'And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’ ”
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. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water 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.
The 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.' Joshua 3:7-8,14-17
there have been many times in my life that i questioned God: why this and not that way; can’t i go here instead of there; do i have to be nice to that person when they’re so mean/difficult/rude; basically trying to get my way instead of following His lead.
knowing myself, i would have ‘told’ God that it probably would be easier if we go around here or this route instead. and in the end, would have failed miserably and everyone, including me, would suffer, be lost, and still be walking.
the lesson i get from this is seeing God’s goodness in the face of a difficult situation or huge obstacle in front of you and all He required was for joshua and the rest of the people (us) to follow a simple instruction: go to the water’s edge and stand in there. nothing crazy, nothing difficult, just 2 steps - go and stand.
sometimes we make things and situations far more difficult than needed. if God prompts me to do something small, just do that; if something huge, go big. He wants to bless us and only asks for obedience to Him - just do it and don’t overcomplicate things.
Father God, may i always follow in obedience, deferring to your will, your way, and not of my own. help my family and i to keep our eyes on you Lord. guide us through your Holy Spirit. in Jesus’ name i pray, amen!