“The priests will carry the Ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth. As soon as their feet touch the water, the flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will stand up like a wall.” (Joshua 3:13, NLT)
It’s one thing to believe God can do the impossible. It’s another thing to move forward before you see Him do it. That’s when faith becomes more than belief. Joshua 3 reminds us that following God often requires taking a step of faith before we see Him work. So what should you do if you’re struggling with that first step?
Remember Who you’re following. Israel was to follow the Ark of the Covenant—the visible reminder of God’s presence—into the river. Notice how God is described as “the Lord of all the earth.” That title reminded Israel that God not only created the river; He controlled it. God’s presence isn’t just meant to comfort us. It’s meant to lead us, transform us, and make a way where none seems to exist.
Because they knew Who was leading them, they could take the first step. Obedience triggered the miracle. The river didn’t part when they prayed or when they planned. It parted when the priests stepped into the water (Joshua 3:15–16). The key wasn’t figuring everything out. It was simply following God when He said to move. Many of us want to know everything before we obey anything. But God often asks us to obey first and trust Him with the results.
This wasn’t blind faith. God had already spoken clearly, and Israel had spent forty years watching Him provide, protect, and perform miracles. Once they purified themselves and fixed their attention on God’s presence, crossing the Jordan became a matter of obedience instead of an obstacle. They didn’t ask God to bless their plans—they surrendered to His.
Where is God asking you to take a step of faith? Don’t allow fear or uncertainty to keep you standing on the riverbank. Remember Who you’re following and all He’s already done on your behalf. If you belong to Christ, the presence of the Lord God Almighty goes before you and lives within you. You can confidently follow wherever He leads. Faith isn’t just believing God can; it’s acting like He will.
