Monday, December 6, 2010

Be Strong and Courageous

I can just imagine it.


after a trip that only need take 11 days turned to forty years

food from heaven to sustain

old life dying off and making room for new

And the command comes.


be strong and courageous.


And new spies go to re-visit the land of the strong hold, and realize that its not so strong, and they know they can defeat that which held them captive for 40 years.


But there is one thing left in the way.


the Jordan River


Calm most of the year, but the season is Harvest, and the river is overflowing its own banks, fast flowing, and looks like death.

And Israel can only recall stories of the great Red Sea, for they themselves were not present to witness the miracle of water folding back on itself. And Moses is not with them to raise staff over head and command "Part!".

And God has been invisible for 40 years, only showing Himself through manna and quail and even then, consistent gifts from God loose majesty, don't they.


Be Strong and Courageous


Joshua prepares Israel for task a head by commanding purity, for God will do great things.

And to the Priests, the ones chosen to bare the Ark, the dwelling of God, he tells to step out into the river.

For this time around, the walk is by faith, not by sight. The way is not made easy, or so it seems.

there is no parting of water before stepping out, no proof of salvation

because God does not always do things the same way.

Deciding to let Israel walk the path unknown, He chooses to stay hidden even now.

So the Priests step out into the river, feet touching current, water easily able to take them


Be STRONG and COURAGEOUS


And by Faith water parts


And God is in the middle of it all, holding back death itself to make way clear for His kids.


Linking with Imperfect Prose

10 comments:

  1. I love this, very encouraging! Beautiful!

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  2. I so very much love this story! Thanks for the retelling and for the encouragement to be STRONG and COURAGEOUS.

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  3. i like this post very much. a favorite scripture revisited. thanks! and thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  4. the rememberance: Be strong & courageous... thank you :)

    but this:
    consistent gifts from God lose majesty, don't they.

    ouch. that stings as there's truth that i hadn't stopped to face today. an ugly reality. i rethink the counting of gifts; the gratitude for the consistent gifts because it is all majesty from Majesty.

    deep breath. repentance. forgiveness. Truth.

    be strong and courageous & go forth...

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  5. this was so wonderful...it really made me see it all in a new way and gave me bread i needed tonight...

    thank you so very much:) be blessed friend!

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  6. oh girl, this gave me goosebumps. what a beautiful take on a familiar story. you bring the Bible alive for me, in your words and in your life. i love you. xo (just so you know, this will be the final imperfect prose until the new year--thanks so much for linking!)

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  7. I need to be reminded of this daily. Thank you. Many blessings.

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  8. "and God is in the middle of it all" - perfect!

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