Episode Details

"As soon as the priests who carry the Ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—step foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap." — Joshua 3:13

Here it is. The moment of decision.

The priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant are told to step into the Jordan River—still at flood stage, still dangerous, still impossible. They don't know how to swim. There's no promise of safety. No backup plan. Just faith.

And what happens? As soon as their feet hit the water, the river piles up. Not a slow recede. Not a gradual easing. A sudden, miraculous stop. Dry ground appears, just like the Red Sea. And two million people cross over into the Promised Land—not because the river got easier, but because God made a way.

This passage suggests something profound: sometimes we have to believe in the miracle before we see it. Sometimes we have to step into the unknown when everything in us wants to stay put. Trusting God is the better move.

This was a make-or-break moment for Joshua. He'd only been on the job a few days. If he fails here, he's done. But he doesn't fail. God is there. The people obey. And it works.

Pastor Mike Woodruff reflects on the classic book In His Steps—about people who decided to live as if they would do whatever Jesus would do. That's the question for you today: What would it look like if you really decided to trust and obey?

The current might look strong. The water might look deep. But God is faithful, and God is able. Take the next step. Step in before the water parts.