Psalm 34:7 “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.”

A difficult day ahead filled me with a sense of anxiety and alone-ness. Would God show up for me? As paralyzing doubt crept in, I turned to Joshua 3-4 in search of hope.

Here was a brand-new chapter for Israel. Following four hundred years of Egyptian captivity and forty years of wilderness-circles, they were within sight of their inheritance. I can imagine laughter, singing, and dancing defined their final steps. Those sitting around the campfires surely recounted stories of The Great I Am parting the Red Sea; Joshua and Caleb being the only surviving witnesses. This new path had never before been traveled. And now, the River Jordan remained the final obstacle hindering them from stepping into the Promised Land.

I wonder if any Israelite questioned whether God would show up for them as He did for their ancestors?  Did any have a sense of anxiety and alone-ness? Did any consider the danger of the day ahead if by chance their Jordan-crossing failed to mimic the Red Sea parting?

Honesty, I might have doubted. Have you, like me, ever questioned if God will show up in your story? Have you been called to travel a road unfamiliar to you and pondered if God will walk it with you? Have you halted everything because what lay ahead seemed impossible? If you have never experienced such doubts, please summon up a bit of compassion for those of us who have.

When fear keeps us from feeling God’s presence or believing He can rescue us from our troubles, we must remember whom we serve: the same powerful God of the Israelites. The God who created the stars and calls them each by name. The God who parted the seas. The God who raised the dead.

So, just what happened that day as Israel stood on the banks of the Jordan? God showed up! As Israel stepped into the river, the Ark of the Covenant, the very dwelling place of God, went BEFORE the people to lead them. Then, the ark remained in the MIDST of the river where the danger was most prevalent to provide hope and strength and comfort to a frightened people. Finally, the ark fell in BEHIND so that a mighty God could protect His people. Yes, God showed up with a surrounding presence.

What a loving picture God painted for Israel that day, and what a loving picture He paints for us today. He still goes BEFORE us, leading us on His path. God remains in the MIDST of our most difficult and dangerous days, providing us hope, strength, and comfort. And God follows BEHIND to protect us from enemies sneaking up without warning. That is the God we serve! Sisters, bravely press on!

Father God, help us feel your surrounding presence in every step of our lives.

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane