The Israelites stood on the banks of the swollen Jordan river. The land promised by God stretched before them, a good land, flowing with abundance and new beginnings. Forty years earlier, the Israelites had been invited by God to take the land filled with a bounty of goodness. Yet, the Israelites had only seen the obstacles and focused on the people bigger than they, and forgot their all-powerful God. They had forgotten God said He would go with them and help them. Their fear outweighed their faith. After forty years of wandering and waiting, they once again were invited to take possession of the land.

“Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own’” (Joshua 1:11, NIV).

For three days the people prepared and reflected on God’s promises. The flooded Jordan river blocked their way, but the only thing that would keep them from the promised land would be their unbelief.

God instructed the priests to stand in the Jordan river. Nothing changed and nothing happened until the priests believed in God’s promises and moved forward. Only when their feet touched the water, did the way become passable.

Faith calls for action.

When Noah was told to build the ark, I wonder how he built for decades without giving up hope, without stopping, while probably being taunted and criticized. Noah did not falter in his calling, he acted and he believed.

When Abraham was told to believe he would be the father of nations, he did not waver. Even though he was past the age to be a father, and Sarah was barren, Abraham had faith in God and the abilities of God — Abraham believed.

Belief or unbelief is personal.

“God can do anything that’s on His heart through the one who believes. The key is belief.” ~ Henry & Richard Blackaby, Claude King[i]

Noah and Abraham did not deter from their belief in God and His ways. We too have a choice to believe and follow God. Fortunately, God is the One who qualifies and He is the One who equips. Yet, until we step into the Jordan, until our faith takes action, the waters will not move, arks don’t get built, the promised child won’t come, the promised land won’t be given, and we will not see the amazing things that only come from believing God.

Are you standing on the edge of your Jordan? Do you see the water at flood stage or do you see your promised land?

Are you chained to the shoreline by unbelief? Can you look beyond the roaring waters and step in faith? Don’t wait to move forward. If God has told you to cross… believe Him and cross.

“God does not ask you to give the perfect surrender in your strength, or by the power of your will; God is willing to work it in you. Do we not read: ‘It is God that worketh in us, both to will and to do of his good pleasure’ (Phil. 2:13)? And that is what we should seek for―to go on our faces before God, until our hearts learn to believe that the everlasting God Himself will come in to turn out what is wrong, to conquer what is evil, and to work what is well-pleasing in His blessed sight. God Himself will work it in you.” ~ Andrew Murray[ii]

Your power is not needed to get beyond the obstacles, to claim the promises, to step out in faith — believing God results in the power of God. The power of God that created the heavens and earth, also creates, recreates, and makes all things new.

Believe God, believe in His All-powerful, mighty power. If God is telling you to go forward; step out in faith… all you must do is believe.

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God’” (Mark 10:27, NIV).

God “is not wanting great men, but He is wanting men who will dare to prove the greatness of their God.” ~ A. B. Simpson

Heavenly Father, I’m stepping out in faith. Thank You that You will supply the power needed and equip me for everything You have called me to accomplish. Lord, I believe; help my unbelief. Let me step out even when I can’t see the step. Help me to trust that You will guide and lead me even when I can’t see where You are leading. May I be like those listed in Hebrews who stepped out in faith. Father, I want to cross over to follow You, for You have planned amazing things.

God’s Timeless Truth

“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8, NASB).

“Noah did all that the Lord commanded him. By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith” (Genesis 7:5, Hebrews 11:7, NASB).

“Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground” (Psalm 143:10, NASB).

“He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake (Psalm 23:3, NASB).

“For You are my rock and my fortress; for Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me” (Psalm 31:3, NASB).

“With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory” (Psalm 73:24, NASB).

[i] Henry & Richard Blackaby, Claude King, Experiencing God, http://amzn.to/1TItw9x

[ii] Andrew Murray, Absolute Surrender, http://amzn.to/2E7QtD5

From Time with The Timeless One by Lisa Buffaloe, https://amzn.to/2XpcuDp

Photo by Lisa Buffaloe