Over three thousand years ago, The Jordan River presented an imposing obstacle for the Israelites to cross in order to get into the Promised Land. Let’s look at the text from the Book of Joshua:

“When the Israelites broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead to them. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest” (Joshua 3:14-15).

For most of the year, the Jordan River is a less-than formidable river flowing from the Sea of Galilee south to the Dead Sea. After wandering in the wilderness for forty years, why would God choose for them to enter the Promised Land during the spring harvest when the Sea of Galilee was receiving snowmelt from Mount Hermon resulting in the Jordan River flowing at “flood stage?” Undoubtedly, God had a reason for the timing! And indeed, He did!

So often in our own lives, we unfortunately allow circumstances to influence the choices we make. If the circumstances seem formidable, we often resort to finding an alternate path, and it’s usually the path of least resistance. Instead of following God’s path, we are inclined to follow the ways of the world. Interestingly, God’s ways will often lead us to the Jordan River when it is flowing at its highest level and seemingly impossible to cross. Some of you may be feeling that way now, with a sense of foreboding on the journey that lies ahead, but with a huge obstacle standing in the way.

I am convinced that God will grant us deliverance in our darkest moments. He will provide for our needs when we feel trapped in a cul-de-sac of fear and despair. He will be for each of us a God who brings us to an impossible situation in order for Him to do what we cannot do — the impossible! After all, that’s His signature – to deliver us when we are in our darkest hour.

As it turned out, the moment the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant dipped their feet into the Jordan, the River dried up. Why? It’s because several miles upstream, in response to a major earthquake along the Jordan Rift Valley, a landslide occurred adjacent to the town of Adam, and the landslide dammed up the river until the Israelites crossed. Once on the other side of the Jordan, the river cut through the temporary earthen dam created by the landslide and returned to its normal “flood stage” flow (you can read about it in Joshua 3:16-17). This miracle was all about God’s perfect timing for the earthquake, the landslide, and the Priests stepping into the Jordan River.

And God has His own “perfect timing” for each of us when we face difficulties and challenges in our own lives. Let’s not lose patience and choose an alternate, unbiblical path, but learn to wait on Him to see what He might be up to. And in addition to “waiting on Him,” let’s also learn to “praise Him in advance,” knowing that He certainly must be up to something surprisingly good. And then, as you and I look back after the doubts and fears have passed, we can see why God allowed us to go through those challenging times. It was so that we would be blessed, and in the long run, that God would be glorified because of the deliverance brought through His mighty hand.

Let’s learn to trust His goodness in spite of the challenges we might be facing, and to praise Him in advance of His deliverance. He will accomplish what seems to be impossible in each of our lives if we will just wait on His perfect timing.

Blessings to all of you,