What’s the one thing you’ve been waiting for your entire life? That dream job, relationship, breakthrough, or calling that feels just out of reach? Today, we explore how the biblical story of Joshua crossing the Jordan River teaches us to take courageous steps of faith, even when obstacles seem insurmountable.
The Power of Waiting and God’s Perfect Timing
Life is full of waiting seasons. Maybe you’ve been waiting to start a family, land that dream job, or finally step into your calling. The Israelites knew something about waiting—they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years before reaching the Promised Land. An entire generation was born and raised in the waiting.
But here’s what’s remarkable: sometimes our greatest breakthroughs come not when the path is clear, but when we’re willing to take the first step despite overwhelming obstacles.
When God Calls You to Be Strong and Courageous
In the transition from Moses to Joshua, God gave the same command five times: “Be strong and courageous.” This wasn’t casual encouragement—it was divine preparation for what lay ahead. Each time God spoke these words, He added a crucial promise: “For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Your source of courage isn’t your own strength or confidence. True courage comes from knowing that God is with you, has been with you, and will continue to be with you through every challenge.
The Foundation of Biblical Courage
- God’s presence is your constant companion
- God’s faithfulness extends through every season
- God’s strength becomes your strength in weakness
- God’s promises anchor you when circumstances shake
Facing Your Flood-Stage River
After 40 years of preparation, the Israelites finally stood at the threshold of their promise. There was just one problem: a raging river at flood stage stood between them and their destiny. What normally was 100 feet wide had swollen to 500 feet of unpredictable, dangerous waters.
Every person of faith faces their own “flood-stage river”—that seemingly impossible barrier between where you are and where God is calling you to be.
What Does Your River Look Like?
Your river might be:
- Financial constraints that make your dreams seem impossible
- Fear of failure that paralyzes you from taking action
- Past mistakes that whisper you’re not qualified
- Opposition from others who don’t understand your vision
- Insecurity that tells you you’re not ready
- Pain or hurt from previous disappointments
The Moment Everything Changes: When Your Feet Get Wet
Here’s the most crucial part of Joshua’s story: nothing happened until the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the water. The miracle didn’t occur when they could see the solution—it happened when they took the step of faith despite not seeing how God would work.
“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.” – Joshua 3:15-16
This is the pattern of faith: obstacles remain until we take our first step.
Why God Waits for Our Step of Faith
God could have stopped the waters before the priests moved, but He didn’t. Why? Because:
- Faith requires action, not just belief
- Courage is demonstrated through movement, not feeling
- God’s power is displayed when human effort seems impossible
- Character is built through stepping into uncertainty
Personal Application: Taking Your Step of Faith
I remember when God first nudged me toward ministry. I was a special education teacher, completely comfortable in my role with first through third graders. The thought of youth ministry terrified me—I didn’t even know how to talk to teenagers!
But here’s what I learned: you don’t have to feel ready to be obedient. My first day on the job, they handed me van keys and told me to take high schoolers to camp. Talk about jumping into the deep end! But God was with me every step of the way.
Steps to Overcome Your River
1. Identify Your Calling What is God stirring in your heart? What dream or purpose keeps surfacing despite your fears?
2. Acknowledge Your River Be honest about what’s standing in your way. Name your obstacles specifically.
3. Prepare Spiritually Like Joshua’s priests who consecrated themselves, prepare your heart through prayer, Scripture, and community.
4. Take the First Step Move toward your calling before you see how God will make it work. Let your feet get wet.
5. Expect God to Show Up Trust that God’s power will be displayed when human wisdom runs out.
The Transformation That Follows Courage
When you take that step of faith, more than your circumstances change—you change. Just as the Israelites’ identity shifted from “wanderers” to “people of promise,” God will transform you too:
- From broken to restored
- From fearful to courageous
- From questioning to confident
- From waiting to walking
Building Your Memorial Stones
After crossing the Jordan, God commanded the Israelites to build a monument of 12 stones to remember what He had done. When you experience God’s faithfulness in your river-crossing moments, mark them and remember them.
Keep a journal of God’s faithfulness. Share your story. Let others know that the same God who parted the Jordan River is still working miracles today.
The Greater Promise: Jesus as Our Way
While the Israelites eventually lost the physical land due to unfaithfulness, we have a better promise through Jesus Christ. He didn’t just part a river—He conquered death itself. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
Your sin might be the uncrossable barrier between you and God’s promises, but Jesus’ death and resurrection created a dry path straight to eternal life. All that’s required is your first step of faith toward Him.
What’s Your Next Step?
Right now, God is calling you to something. Maybe it’s:
- Forgiveness you need to extend or receive
- A relationship you need to repair or pursue
- A career change that aligns with your calling
- Ministry or service you’ve been avoiding
- Healing from past wounds you need to pursue
The stage is set. Everything is ready. All that stands between you and what God wants to do in your life is your next step of courage.
Take the Step—God’s Greatness Awaits
The lesson from Joshua’s life is clear: when we take steps of courage, God’s greatness is put on display. Not our greatness—His. When we obey despite our fears, God receives the glory, and we experience the abundant life He designed for us.
Your river is waiting. Your promised land is on the other side. The question isn’t whether God is able—it’s whether you’re willing to let your feet get wet.
What step is God calling you to take today?
Remember: You don’t have to feel strong and courageous to act strong and courageous. God’s presence with you is enough. Take the step—He’ll do the rest.
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