.....edge

The Israelites broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them Joshua 3:14

My little girl stood apprehensively at the pool's edge. As a nonswimmer, she was just learning to become comfortable in the water. Her instructor waited in the pool with outstretched arms. As my little daughter hesitated, I saw the questions in her eyes: "Will you catch me?"  "What will happen if my head goes under?

The Israelites may have wondered what would happen when they crossed the Jordan River. Could they trust God to make dry ground appear in the riverbed? Was God guiding their new leader, Joshua, as He had led Moses? Would God help His people defeat the threatening Canaanites who lived just across the river?

To learn the answers to these questions, the Israelites had to engage in a test of faith - they had to act. So they "broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them' (v. l4).  Exercising their faith allowed them to see that God was with them. He was still directing Joshua, and He would help them settle in Canaan (v.7, 10, 17).

If you are facing a test of faith, you too can move forward based on God's character and His unfailing promises. Relying on Him will help you move from where you are to where He wants you to be.

- jennifer b schuldt