In the Bible we read a story about Joshua and his people. They were faced with a great risk. They needed to cross the dangerous, flood-swollen Jordan to get to the land they had been promised to their ancestors. God had previously opened the Red Sea when the people had to cross it, but this time the priests had to step into the water first and trust the Lord to open up the way for them. They had put their feet in the water and trust that God would honor their faith.
So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. 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. It piled up in a heap a great distance away. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground. (Joshua 3:14-16a, 17 NIV)
Many people dislike taking risks. They want the way opened up before they move forward for God. Often God graciously honors their desire. However, there are times when God shows us the way and tells us to take a step assuring us that He will be with us to help us and guide us. We may not see a whole series of steps ahead and the future outcome, but when God tells us to do something, or gives us a principle to apply to daily living, we will find real peace and satisfaction if we will just step out and risk obedience to His word. Why not trust God and leave all the consequences of our obedience to Him?
Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy. (Deuteronomy 5:33 NLT)
If we walk with God on a daily basis, surrendering our will and our life to him, God will give us guidance and open up opportunities for us as we risk obeying Him. He invites us to step forward in faith and be willing to “get our feet wet”. As we trust in Him to do what He says, He will open up the way for us to travel. God honors wet feet, not cold feet.
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