Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.

Joshua 5:15-16 (NIV)

We all want to see miracles in our lives, and if we’re saved, then we need look no further than into a mirror. God performs miracles all the time, but I propose that most of the miracles we want to see, require something from us. Salvation is a miracle and to accept this miracle, we need to do something. When I was reading about the parting of the Jordan in Joshua today, I noted that this miracle required something from Joshua and the people. So, let’s look at these requirements in what I call “A Recipe for a Miracle.”

In verse 15 here in Joshua, we are told the river was at a flood stage. When a river is at flood stage, it is a churning mass of water. Often bearing the color of the soil, for it carries with it the dirt from the river’s edge and that which lies beyond the edge. When I was a kid, I grew up next to a river that flooded every year and can testify to the wonder of seeing cars, trees, and sundry debris raging past. It is a sight that is daunting to behold. A flooding river is swift and very dangerous; a place not for swimming nor treading into for the current will sweep away the strongest of men and trees. For these Irsalietes, it would have been a frightful sight. Since they had wandered in the wilderness their entire lives, most of whom had never seen the great flowing Nile or any other comparable body of water.

However, the priests stepped right into the Jordan without hesitation, and God made the water stop flowing. There are five steps that Joshua, the priests, and the people had to follow for this miracle to unfold.

  1. Joshua had to be prepared to hear from God.

The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

Exodus 33:11 (NIV)

In all the time that Joshua spent time with God, a relationship of trust and obedience was formed.

  1. Joshua had to do what God told him to do.

Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.”

Joshua 3:8 (NIV)
  1. When Joshua heard from God, he had to believe what God told him would happen.

Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.

Joshua 3:9 (NIV)

And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.”

Joshua 3:13 (NIV)
  1. The People had to trust in God that he had appointed Joshua as their leader.

Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses.

Joshua 1:17 (NIV)
  1. The people then had to do what they were told to do.

Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”

Joshua 3:5 (NIV)

If we want to see more miracles in our lives, we need to prepare our hearts for what God is doing in our lives. When we hear from God, we must have faith and trust in God to do what he says regardless of how life-threatening or scary it might appear. Then, we need to step into God’s plan, and when we do, he will stop anything against us, so we will know he is God. For when He is for us, nothing can stand against us. We will see mountains move and lives changed. However, we will never learn to trust God if we don’t spend time with him and exercise our faith by stepping out into the dark rushing waters of the unknown.

Do you know God? God knows you, and He loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and He wants you to know Him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, be freed from death, and live eternally with Him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation today:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart, and I receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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