Joshua had led them courageously across the Jordan river, watching it part before their eyes so they could walk across on dry land. He had been commissioned by the 'Commander of the Lord's armies' and promised help from the armies of heaven. He had marched the Israelite army around Jericho obediently for a week until, on last day, they shouted and watched in triumph and the walls simply collapsed in front of them.
And then the good feeling went.
The Israelites lost a battle and everything suddenly seemed to be going wrong.
And, despite all the miracles he had witnessed, Joshua got on his face before God and cried:
"If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan!"
And as I read those words I realised that I say them too. Even today. Despite the absolutely miraculous provision of our last few weeks, when the owner of our new house told us he wants to wait yet another six weeks before we complete and can move in I have cried "Why couldn't we just have stayed where we are and not tried to do this Hope House thing?"
How often am I content to stay in my safe, secure comfort zone?
How often am I content to stay where I am instead of taking big risks which will lead to seeing the faithfulness, might and power of God?
How often does my fear of taking those risks cause me to pretend to myself that I am content?
Going across the Jordan in my own life is a risk and, like Joshua, sometimes the good feeling goes. My battle is to find my contentment in the God I have chosen to follow and not in my surroundings and circumstances. So, despite the situation, I can choose to be content because of the hope and the promises that are before me.
When I am content in Him, my soul becomes still and I can face crossing the Jordan, even if I can't see what is on the other side.
So, I take a deep breath and I make my choice.
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