The Daily Word of Righteousness

Preparing the Army of God, #41

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 3:16)

It is harvest time today. "Jordan" is overflowing its banks bringing shaking and change to all whom it touches.

Sinners are to turn to the Lord, both the unsaved sinners and the saved sinners. The Judge is standing at the door. God is measuring what He has performed in the earth to this point.

God is speaking to your heart. Do what He tells you. Place your eyes steadfastly on the Lord. Follow Him.

When God commands you to press forward it may appear to be the worst possible time. Expect this and move ahead with God. No power in Heaven or on the earth can stop any soul who is moving forward in obedience to God.

Only our fear and unbelief can destroy us. There is no other enemy that can prevent us from being a victorious saint, from receiving our full inheritance.

As soon as the "feet of the priests that bear the ark were dipped in the brim of the water," the waters from upstream were blocked off. The army of the Lord was enabled to cross the Jordan River without harm.

If God commands you to do some impossible thing, do not waste time informing the Lord that it is impossible. He understands this. Concentrate on perceiving exactly what God wants you to do, and when He wants you to do it.

It is not correct to decide on an action and then do it, daring God to rise to the occasion. This is practiced today with the idea of challenging God to do "great things." This is not faith, it is presumption. It is tempting God to act. It is an example of man endeavoring to harness the power of God so what the individual thinks ought to be accomplished in the Kingdom will be brought to pass.

Sometimes a Christian will know what it is God wants him to do, but the believer adds to the correct burden methods and timings that are incorrect. Then he cannot understand why the "river" does not part before him.

Following the Spirit of God requires careful attention to prayer and the Scriptures. It demands patient, cross-carrying obedience if we are to avoid adding incorrect methods and timings to what God has entrusted to us.

When God prepares to move, the whole spirit realm becomes "jumpy," so to speak. This restlessness and excitability finds ready lodging in the immature Christian. The winds blow and the rocks fly and the believer runs down the road, regarding every warning sign God puts in front of him as a hindrance from the devil or from wicked or unbelieving people.

Sooner or later the saint "comes to himself," like the prodigal son. He is exhausted, confused, depressed, fruitless.

The best thing to do when this happens to us is to ask the Lord's forgiveness and allow Him to take us back to the point where we moved out of His will, back to the altar where we are sure we heard from God. Now the circumstances may be different but the familiar textbooks are opened to the well-worn page.

To be continued.