Bound For the Promised Land

from Elliott

The last month or so has been difficult. Children headed off to college in Florida and South Africa, home school starting again, and then, my elderly father was hospitalized with a significant head injury. It has made me wonder how many more challenges I can handle.

As I pondered the challenges, I was reminded of the passage in Joshua where the Israelites were tasked with the dangerous crossing of the river Jordan. With the river at flood stage I can imagine that they were filled with fear and uncertainty. What must they have thought when the voice of God told them they were to cross the mighty river Jordan?

God stopped the flow of water and they were granted safe passage. As they passed, they were commanded to pick up a stone from the river bottom. The stones would be used to create an altar as a reminder of God’s presence and provision in difficult times.

God made the way for the Israelites and he does for each of us also; He was and is faithful through all perils. But it isn’t just to get us through the ‘difficult times’ and challenges because he is all about getting us to a new place – our Promised Land.

I wonder, what does that land that He has promised my family look like? We know that He has called us to ministry in South Africa but what does He have planned for us there. What altar might we erect to remind us of His presence and provision? We still have many questions but we know one thing that the God of the Israelites will be with us each step of the way.