Day 4 of 6 — Pioneering Faith. About 3 minutes.
And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.
Joshua 3:17
A farmer can spend hours preparing a field. He can break the soil, plant the seed, remove weeds, water, and protect the young plants. But there is one thing he cannot do. He cannot reach into the ground and command a dead-looking seed to come alive. There is work that belongs to the farmer, and there is work that belongs to God.
Israel learned that same distinction at the Jordan.
They could break camp. They could follow the ark. The priests could carry it. They could walk down to the river and put their feet into the water. But they could not stop the Jordan. They could not manufacture dry ground. That was God’s part.
We tend to fall into one of two mistakes. The first is passivity. We say, If God wants it done, He will do everything, and then refuse to prepare, work, obey, or take responsibility. But God’s sovereignty never removes human responsibility. God promised Israel the land, yet He still commanded them to move.
The other mistake is control. We do what God gives us to do and then start believing the outcome depends entirely on us. We carry burdens God never assigned to us because we think we somehow have to create the miracle.
Joshua 3 gives us a healthier way to live. Do everything God has placed in your hands, and leave in His hands what only He can do.
You can share the Gospel. You cannot make someone believe. You can teach your children truth. You cannot force their hearts. You can prepare a sermon or lesson. You cannot manufacture conviction. You can faithfully serve. You cannot produce spiritual fruit on command.
Israel could walk to the Jordan.
God had to part it.
Knowing the difference will relieve you of both laziness and anxiety.
Growth principle: Do everything God has given you to do, and trust Him with everything only He can do.
Take it with you: Ask yourself what is actually your responsibility today, and what outcome you are trying to control that belongs to God.
Pause and pray: Lord, keep me from using Your sovereignty as an excuse for laziness, and keep me from carrying responsibilities that belong only to You. Help me obey faithfully and then rest in Your power. Amen.
From Sunday’s message: Faith That Steps Into the Water (Joshua 3-4)
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