Parting the Waters
My morning started out earlier than most Mondays, with my trip to Johnstown for the Larimer County Republican Breakfast meeting. The program was on Colorado’s mining industry and was very interesting and informative.
I did have my Chiropractor appointment and am getting to the end of my scheduled appointments. I was able to get to the pool for a good workout, before a nice afternoon rain shower.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to make you great in the opinion of all the Israelites so the people will know I am with you just as I was with Moses. Tell the priests who carry the Ark of the Agreement to go to the edge of the Jordan River and stand in the water.” Joshua 3:7,8
It is interesting how the Lord reveals Himself to His leaders and the His people at critical times in the Bible. We see this in the parallels between the call and leadership of Moses and Joshua.
The Lord called Moses at a burning bush in the wilderness. The Lord told him, “take off your sandals for you are on Holy ground.” After the crossing of the Jordan, Joshua sees a man standing with a sword. Joshua becomes aware this is an “angel of the Lord” and receives these instructions, The commander of the Lord’s army answered, “Take off your sandals, because the place where you are standing is holy.” (Joshua 5:15)
Each received God’s call, each found themselves in the presence of the Lord in a unique and special way, each one had the Lord part waters for them. For Moses, it was the Red Sea, for Joshua it was the river Jordan.
These similar miracles had to get the attention of the people and the miracle served two purposes, besides getting the people across a major obstacle to the promised land. It confirmed that the Lord was with Joshua as He was with Moses, and it demonstrated God’s power is still with His people.
 “The Lord your God caused the water to stop flowing until you finished crossing it, just as the Lord did to the Red Sea. He stopped the water until we crossed it. The Lord did this so all people would know he has great power and so you would always respect the Lord your God.’” (Joshua 4:23,24)
The time was near for Elijah to be taken to heaven. Elisha had been chosen as his successor. Interestingly enough they find themselves at the Jordan River. Here is what happens, “Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground         (2 Kings 2:8)
After Elijah was taken to heaven, Elisha picked up his cloak and found himself needing to cross back over the Jordan river, “Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over                   (2 Kings 2:13,14)
These events are unique in the Biblical narrative but should be of encouragement to us in our lives. We see that the Lord is faithful to confirm His call and His presence with His people; whether leaders, prophets or the entire congregation.
Also, take note that both the Red Sea and the Jordan represented obstacles that needed to be overcome in order to move forward in God’s plan and to receive God’s promise. We need to remember that the God of Moses, Joshua, Elijah and Elisha is still alive today. He is able to help us overcome every obstacle that stands in our way as we commit our lives to follow Him and to arrive at our final “land of promise.”