The light was already shining on the horizon. Soon, Israel would take possession of the land that the Lord had promised to Abraham more than 400 years ago. It was 40 years of walking in the desert, amid mistakes and successes. Now, the Israelites were about to take possession of each piece that was distributed to the families. Being in God's time was a certainty of victory, for His hand would guide them throughout the journey. Passing through the sea meant leaving sin behind.

Having received authorization from Heaven to occupy the territory that belonged to him by divine order, the leader made all the people rise at dawn and depart from Shittim, Acacia. None of the received instructions should be forgotten, nor should those still to come during the course of occupation. The guidance from Above is necessary so that every convert to Christ may be richly blessed with the gifts provided by the Creator!

Peter spoke of this about 1,500 years later. The lessons of the Old Testament serve us today, just as they will serve other generations, if the world lasts for years or millennia. The important thing is to have the revelation of the other Comforter, who has the mission to show us what awaits us on our journey: except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me (Acts 20:23).

The Israelites reached the limit that separated them from the land that had been theirs since the patriarch of faith, Abraham, heard the Lord's promise. At that moment, God spoke of the injustice of the inhabitants of that region: But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete (Genesis 15:16). The Most High divided the generations in a way very different from how man divided them: by centuries. The Lord knows more than we do!

The people of Israel reached the Jordan River, which, in those days, was impossible to cross on foot because the waters overflowed its banks. However, God would teach them something precious: He sees no obstacle to working when everything is going the wrong way. Even if, in a few more days or months, the course of the river normalized, what was that to the Lord? Indeed before the day was, I am He; and there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it? (Isaiah 43:13).

Joshua and the children of Israel were united in an admirable way, following the Lord's plan. They camped in front of the flood of the Jordan, as if declaring: "God has done and will do." The gaze of faith toward danger increases trust in the Almighty and irritates the devil, because God acts as He wishes: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over (Psalm 23:5).

For the fearful, the invasion would not succeed in those days. However, for those who trusted in the Lord, there would be no better time than the one determined by Him. Rise in the dawn of God and face your problem without caring about what people say. If the Father commanded, nothing will stop Him from fulfilling His promises. After all, it had been almost five centuries since He had spoken!

        In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares