WADE IN THE WATER

I enjoy walking the paths leading to the clearings at the back of our lot by the creek. I go down there just about every day. Especially I like it when the sunlight glistens on the water or the sun is setting. In the summertime our grandchildren like to visit and wade in the water with me.



In our Sunday Bible Study today we learned important lessons about wading in the water (Joshua 3). Joshua was about to lead the children of Israel across the Jordan River. Though the people had been freed from slavery in Egypt for 40 years, they had been wandering in the wilderness due to their lack of faith and confidence in God and their leaders. Crossing the Jordan River was the marker moment to move forward into the Promised Land.

Verses 13 and 17 of Joshua chapter 3 have the key words:
"It shall come about when the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan will be cut off, and the waters which are flowing down from above will stand in one heap. So the people crossed opposite Jericho and the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan.”

As the priests stepped in the water it was an exercise of faith that God would guide and provide. Though there was still war to be waged, crossing the Jordan was a faith-builder that God would take care of his people as they faced the walls of Jericho. They had to wade in the water to experience the wonders of the ways of God.

I realize anew that there are successes and victories God wants to give me if I will wander on out to wade in the water ... if I will move out in faith. If I stay safe "onshore" I may miss out on some great adventures.

I am reminded of the old Negro spiritual, “Wade in the Water.” There are different versions of the song that make references to varying biblical events of wading in the water to trust God. Some people speculate that the original song contained coded language to slaves during the Civil War to “wade in the water” when they fled to escape the scents of searching dogs.

I have heard many renditions of the song. I like the presentation of the Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers.