Be Still IN the Jordan

I remember teaching prepositions to our children years ago as we homeschooled.  I wanted them to understand not only what a preposition was, but to also grasp the huge difference that a preposition made in our speech and our writing.  Therefore, my instruction went something like this:

“Let’s get IN the car.  Not under the car…behind the car…by the car…near the car…on the car…but IN the car.”

Why am I talking about prepositions?  

Because the little preposition ‘IN’ jumped out at me recently IN Joshua 3:8.

God had led the children of Israel to the promised land.  Not just TO the promised land, but now they were IN the land.  

Yet a huge obstacle stood in their way.  The Jordan River stood between them and the land that God had promised them.  

Now typically, crossing the Jordan River wouldn’t have been such a big deal.  But God chose to have the Israelites cross the Jordan during flood stage.  

A little geography lesson might help us grasp just how difficult this crossing was.  As Dale Davis says, “…the river helps one to appreciate the miracle.”

The river’s floodplain between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea is packed with tangled brush and jungle growth.  Crossing the river during flood stage was extremely dangerous, not only because of the raging current but because of the jungle growth underneath the water that would entangle you.  

As I was reading about God leading the Israelites to go over the Jordan in Joshua 3, a phrase in verse 8 jumped off the page and right into my heart.  God told the priests:

“…when you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still IN the Jordan.”

God didn’t tell the priests to be still near the Jordan…beside the Jordan…at the Jordan…but IN the Jordan.

I have written before about Psalm 46:10, my mother’s favorite verse.  In fact, I have her framed copy of that wonderful reminder to “Be still and know that I am God.”

Be still.  Quit striving.  And know that God is God.

That’s the only knowledge we need as we walk through this life.  

Sometimes God leads us right into the flood.  We feel helpless and scared…maybe confused and bitter.

But this is where our trust in God can and should grow, even as the flood swirls around us and the undergrowth attempts to pull us under.

What is your Jordan today?  

“Perhaps He brings us into impossible circumstances, situations so bleak and hopeless, for the purpose of impressing upon us that if we make it through, if we endure it, if we are not overwhelmed and washed away, it will be only because of His grace and power.”   (Dale Ralph Davis)

So, be still IN your Jordan, and watch God work His best for you in that place of trust and peace.  

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Author: Patty hesaidwhatks

I'm Patty and I write about our adult son who has Epilepsy and Autism, who still lives with my husband and me, and who is a package full of many surprises and joys and challenges and TALK! Lots of talking, which creates laughter and some other reactions as well. I also write about how God shows Himself to me in everyday life.

26 thoughts on “Be Still IN the Jordan”

  2. So we’ll written. Prepositions stick out at me when reading God’s Word also. Do you like this one…Romans 11:36 Berean “From Him, Through Him and To Him are all things. To Him be glory forever.” Very meaningful prepositions throughout. ❤

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  6. I too have marveled at the faith of the priests who walked into flood-stage waters and stationed themselves in the Jordan, even as the water from upstream stood in a heap (Joshua 3:13, 16). (I wonder how high it must have towered?!) You are right, Patty: as we watch God work his best in us through the challenges we face, we do indeed experience a greater sense of his presence, his grace and power. Such blessings within the trials make them easier to bear.

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      1. Amen to THAT, Patty! I pray to become a more willing participant in what God wants to accomplish through the pain he allows. I’ve not always been cooperative!

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  10. Patty, what a current word about the priests being in the Jordan River at flood stage. Floods can take out much as they rage. What really stands out to me is being in a personal relationship with Yahweh and trusting him, no matter how the circumstances may appear.

    Blessings to you, Patty, Gary and Aaron. May you get more time with with your lovely grand baby!

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    1. Trust and obey, there’s no other way, right? Thank you, Hazel. And actually, I am with our sweet little grandson right now. I’m eating up all the smiles and hugs and kisses. 🙂

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  11. Thank you for pointing out the value of prepositions, and for sharing the value of understanding its use in that specific verse. God is with us IN the good times and the bad. When He allows us to go through a problem, He is there with us. Enjoy your day Patty! 💕

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  12. Great thought provoking post! Those words “be still” always get to me because although it makes me think of a motionless action there’s actually a lot of obedience and self-control required on our part. And like your reminder, there may be turmoil happening IN the midst but we must be still and watch as God shows up!

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