I would say that one of the things that I have a hard time with is throwing away things from the past. As Donna and I have just moved and sorted through all of the things we have accumulated we came across some treasures from our past. It seems that no matter how small or seemingly worthless each item may be they spark a memory and usually a conversation and then a struggle over whether we should throw it away or not. I have been doing a lot of remembering these past few weeks and I have begun to see its great value in the life of the believer. How many of you can honestly say you have gone through a very difficult, almost impossible life circumstance? This morning I want to talk to you about not just going through them, but the value of keeping a memento so that you always remember.
As we read this passage we have to remember that the Israelites are moving into a place where they refused to go before. The Jordan River was the barrier that separated them from their promised inheritance. A generation of doubters had died off, a new leader was guiding the people and they were set to embark on the fulfillment of God’s promises to His people. There must have been an air of excitement as well as uncertainty. This story illustrates so much of our walk as Christians so let’s get into it. (read scripture)
1. Being called to cross (3:6)
God wakes them up after a day of fasting and tells them that He will give them victory over the people inhabiting the Promised Land, but they would have to do battle. He told them that His presence would stop the water, but they would still have to walk across. One thing that we must all understand about walking this Christian walk is that no matter how wonderful God and His promises are, we will always be required to take a step of faith and move in obedience. God never told them how He would give them victory or how He would stop the river, they just had to trust Him.
The Israelites also knew the consequences of doubting the Lord and deciding that they knew better. 40 years in the desert! No they were ready to be obedient and that meant crossing another body of water in order to grab hold of their future. You and I have been called to cross too. We have all been promised a future that is fulfilling, meaningful and exciting, but first we must be obedient and cross in faith believing that our God can do the miraculous. Abraham Heschel in his book Unshakeable Faith said, “…faith like Job’s cannot be shaken because it is the result of having been shaken.” We must have faith to believe that whatever is out there is good because God is good, no matter how much of a challenge it is for me.
2. His presence will allow safe passage (3:9-17)
The Israelites had been instructed to send a priest from each tribe to hold up the Ark, the presence of God, in the middle of the river and in so doing they would see the hand of God. Even though the river was overflowing due to it being the rainy season, God would stop the river. As they walked out with the Lord in front the river was stopped and the ground dried up. What a promise people that is still true today. This is one truth that you need to cling to in the midst of every challenge life brings you…if God is at the centre you will make it through!
Many people allow many things to happen while crossing the rivers of life. Some people touch the water with their feet and jump back onto shore because of doubt and fear; they never go anywhere. Others walk in and begin to see God’s provision, but get caught up in looking at the river, not on God; these people are swept away in the current. Others still get tired when the crossing takes longer then they had anticipated; these people are overcome and become victims of the river. We need to look to the Israelites for inspiration. They walked across and were focussed on their God and His ability to do the impossible. He remained at the centre until they were all through and everyone made it.
“There is no situation so chaotic that God cannot from that situation, create something that is surpassingly good. He did it at the creation. He did it at the cross. He is doing it today.” - Handley C. G. Moule
3. Take something to remember who got you through (4:1-7)
Finally I want to talk to you about what you take away from these life experiences. God instructs the Israelites to do something very interesting. 12 others are instructed to go into the middle, where the priests are standing, and take 12 stones for the purpose of building a memorial. Why did Israel need a memorial? So that when their kids would ask them how did we end up here they could tell them the story of God’s faithfulness. These parents would tell them the exciting details and how these stones are from right in the middle of the river, “I watched them carry them”. It would speak of the day they chose to trust God for their future and how He proved Himself to His people. It would remind them in other times of trial that God brought them this far, He would carry them through to the end. God was good on His word and that’s all that mattered. These were rocks worth remembering. A true testimony of the God of Israel; the God we serve today!
When you go through struggles, storms and cross your rivers you should take something from it to remember it. Many people take scars, hurts, bitterness and anger, but none of these things bring glory to God. You need to, like the Israelites take something that you can set in your mind as a marker that you can look back on when you face other trials. It should be something that will bring back to memory the goodness of your God and how He brought you through before. Bring a stone from the middle of the river so that when others ask you can boast of your God’s faithfulness and power.
Conclusion
Not one single person here this morning is protected from going through river experiences. It is how God tests our obedience and our willingness to follow Him, not because it makes sense, but because He is God. There may be some of you here this morning who need to hear about the river because you are about to go through one and it looks terrifying. Maybe you are here and you are in the middle of your river and you are having a hard time believing God to bring you safely on the other side. Let me tell you something this morning; Donna and I crossed a river as we came over into this country. It was hard and we didn’t know how God was going to make it work, but we stepped out in obedience and faith. By His mighty hand he has held back the water and we have taken something from this experience that we will remember forever. We have a memorial built that shouts of God’s goodness and His unfailing love and sustaining power. I have taken things that will describe for my children the faithfulness of God and I will be able to tell them with joy in my heart that I was there and I saw it with my own eyes.
This church has crossed its share of rivers. There were times when things looked impossible, but there were those who trusted in the strength of our Lord to see the church through. Many of you have taken things that from that experience that reflect the might and faithfulness of our God and as the church moves into a new season, a new place with a new vision I think it will be important to remember that if it weren’t for God we wouldn’t have made it. You need to take something with you that will uplift you as we move into the future that God has planned for this church.
Has it been easy? No. Was it always hopeful? No. Did I have the strength to do it? No. Has God been good? Yes. Has He kept His word? Completely. Did He have the strength to see me through? Every time. Have I been blessed? Beyond measure. Can you do it too? Yes you can if you put God in the centre of your life.
