The Command!

The day came all too soon. No one could have expected the outcome that took place, but yet here it was. The crisp air caused gooseflesh to ripple on the skin. Not one person moved, each soldier stayed in his line. If one man moved before the trumpet sounded, and before those who carried the Ark of God moved, it could spell disaster and the war would be over before it began.
The river raged violently in front of the vast army. Each wave crashed into the rocks causing a giant upheaval of water into the air. Could this really be the beginning of a new future for the people, God had so miraculously chosen out of Egypt? Forty years was a long time to wait.
He waited silently. Not one man dared speak until he spoke the command to move forward.
The people stood, each man by his tent door as Joshua moved to the Tabernacle of Meeting. The same tent his mentor, spiritual father, Moses erected to seek God’s face in times of need. This was a time of need. He needed to know how to proceed.
“Cross the river.”
Was that God speaking?
Again. “Cross the river.”
“How do I cross?”
“They are assembled are they not?”
The voice was low, hardly above a whisper. Is that God? “The Priests and the Ark as I have them assembled?” Joshua wiped the glistening sweat from his brow.
“Do not be afraid, but be of strong courage. I AM with you.”
That’s the answer.
The war for the Promised Land began with a single command.
Joshua slowly pulled back the tent door as a hush rippled across the military lines. The clinking of his long Canaanite sword slapped against his strong muscular thigh. No one would have guessed that Joshua was nearing eighty years of age. He’s as strong now as the day he walked out of the land of Egypt, next to Moses’ side. That was a long time ago. Much blood had been spiled on account of God saying to go to war and fight.
“Men of Israel, listen to what the Lord God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob says. ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you. To all the Levites, take up the Ark of the Covenant and cross over before the people!”
“This day I will begin to exalt you in all the sight of Israel that they may know I AM with you as I AM was with Moses!”
“Stand in the Jordan River! God is with us and He shall drive out the peoples of the land before you like a flood.” Joshua held his breath as the Priests walked into the cold water. “Behold the Ark is crossing the Jordan. Know that there is a God in Israel’s camp this day.”
The priests blew the trumpets as they stood in the midst of the river. They slowly lowered the Ark into the water. The priests looked all around their feet and up and down the riverbank. There was no water to be seen.
The riverbed was dry!
“GO! Possess the land in which your father’s swore to you through the promises of God. He has given us the Land. Cross… you and your families, take what God is giving to you. We have waited forty years and now He is about to do signs and wonders in your midst as like in the day He took us up out of the Land of Egypt.”
Joshua unsheathed his sword, held it up in the air and let out a roar!

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