Subtitle: Each of us must face our own Jordan River crossings in life.

Excerpt: Each of us must face our own Jordan River crossings in life.

Author: Rich Holt

Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Joshua 1:2, “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them – the children of Israel.”

Background

My wife’s uncle Jim is dying. In fact, this may be the weekend that he gets his glorified body. One week ago, he was found unconscious on his farm, and he has not woken up since. My ten year old son loves uncle Jim very much. The impending outcome to this awful situation is going to be hard for him. He has visited uncle Jim in the hospital several times, in spite of the tubes and IVs and machines that are hooked up to him, in spite of the one-sided conversations they have had. But as difficult as the days ahead will be for my son, for uncle Jim’s son, there awaits an even deeper pain. He is a grown man in his early forties, but much of his life he has seemed somewhat adrift. He has held various jobs ranging from a police officer to his uncle’s hired farmhand, and spent a length of time unemployed because of a bad back. But now his dad is dying. I guess there is no amount of job success or personal health that can adequately prepare you for the passing of your parent. And thus, this death will be life-changing for him. It is his Jordan to cross over. God’s servant, uncle Jim, will soon be in his mansion, and his son will be faced with crossing over this Jordan. His time to arise and go to where God is giving him has come.

Application

And I would dare say it has come for some of you. It may not be the death of a loved one or the deep loss of a heartbreak, but you are facing a Jordan that cannot be avoided or gone around. However painful or unwanted, this Jordan is where God has brought you, has led you, and now He wants to go with you as you cross over. Your Jordan may be wide and raging, or perhaps a much slower trickle of water and despair, but it is a Jordan nonetheless. But to His children, God is a God for the Jordans. He made you and the place where He wants to take you, so there shall be no doubt that He can get you there. But He calls you to arise and go. Don’t turn back, and leave no room for doubt. He is giving you what He wants for you. Cross over, as His people did back then, and see what He has for you there.

Charge

As we seek Him today, take that first step across your Jordan River that lies in front of you. Put your trust in the Almighty, and believe with all your heart that He is almighty.

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