Get Your Feet Wet

By Paul Chappell

"And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people; And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho."

Joshua 3:14-16

I once read a simple but profound saying: "There are no correspondence courses for swimming." In truth, the only way to learn to swim is to get in the water. Similarly, the only way to learn to walk by faith is to start moving.

It is tempting for us to sit back and wait until we see the way ahead of us to be clear, but often the only way to truly go forward is to march ahead in obedience to God even when we cannot see the way.

When the Children of Israel were preparing to enter the Promised Land, they had to cross the flooded Jordan River. God promised Joshua to make a way for the people, but He did not part the river until the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant were standing in the water. Every time we see faith in the Bible, we see it expressed in action. There is no such thing as passive faith.

There are still great things that need to be done in our day, and God’s power has not changed. What we need are believers who will act in faith. As the missionary William Carey said, "Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God."

Today's Rooted Principle:

Stretch your faith today by doing something for God even if you don’t see how you can.