A Crisis of Belief

In his book “Experiencing God: Knowing and Understanding the Will of God,” Henry Blackaby writes:
"Will God ever ask you to do something you are not able to do? The answer is yes—all the time! It must be that way, for God's glory and kingdom… [And] when God tells you what He wants to do, you will face a “crisis of belief.”

Whenever God calls us to one of our divine assignments, we will face resistance—from within and without. At such a point in his ministry, Paul said “for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Cor. 16:9 NASB). Sometimes the voice of the ‘adversary’—the opposition—is not only the voices of others, but the voice of doubt and fear within us.

As anyone who has walked with Jesus for any length of time knows, we will face obstacles at every turn. But these obstacles—adversaries, opponents—are necessary to prove our faith (James 1:3). As the Israelites journeyed through the Wilderness to cross the Jordan into the Promised Land, many adversaries told them not to go. And unfortunately, at the moment of their “crisis of belief”—the test of faith—they failed. What crisis of faith are you facing right now? Is God calling you to do something you think you are not able to do? At the moment of his "crisis," Paul said, “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13 NKJ).

Have You 'CROSS'ed the Jordan?

On this Monday before Easter, may I encourage you to reflect on the subject question?

How was Israel’s Jordan River crossing different from the Red Sea crossing? While the Red Sea pictures our salvation; the crossing of the Jordan represents our baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection. God parted the Red Sea for their deliverance from their old life. The parting of the Jordan opened up their new life, and required their active participation.

Not until Israel’s Priests stepped into the Jordan did the waters divide. Those who follow Jesus into the waters of death and resurrection must take the first step of faith. Like Abraham who took the first step by leaving friends and family, or Peter whose first step was getting out of the boat, or the lame man whose first step was to get up, and pick up his bed. Conversely, the rich young man was unwilling to take the first step of faith by giving away all his possessions.

The Jordan crossing is a metaphor for baptism in the waters of “self-denial” and subsequent new life in Christ. Jesus calls committed disciples to leave all behind to follow Him. Crossing the Jordan is picking up your cross—taking your place with Jesus, to die to your own will. Like the Israelites we are to leave our WILL back in the Wilderness. As you approach Easter Sunday, ask yourself ‘Have I really CROSSed the Jordan?’ (Ro.6:4)