Yesterday, Today & Forever

the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.

— Joshua 3:16

As the Israelites approached the Jordan River, God promised to perform a miraculous sign to demonstrate His power and faithfulness. The priests, carrying the Ark of the Covenant, stepped into the river, and the waters upstream stopped flowing, creating a dry riverbed for the Israelites to cross. This event, reminiscent of the parting of the Red Sea, was a powerful reminder of God’s ability to deliver His people in unique and varied ways.

God’s deliverance at the Jordan River was both familiar and new. Like the Red Sea crossing, it showed His power over nature and His commitment to fulfilling His promises. Yet, it was different in method, teaching us that while God’s character remains constant, His ways of working in our lives can be innovative and tailored to our specific circumstances. This demonstrates that God is not limited to past methods but can creatively intervene in our present situations.

This deliverance story encourages us to trust God in our times of adversity. The same God who parted the Red Sea and stopped the Jordan River is active in our lives today. Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” God’s faithfulness endures through all generations, and His ability to save and deliver remains unchanging.

In moments of trial, we can look back on the testimonies of God’s faithfulness in Scripture and in our own lives. These stories build our faith and assure us that God will act on our behalf. As we trust in His unchanging nature, we can face our challenges with confidence, knowing that He will provide a way through, just as He did for the Israelites.

PRAYER