“And the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. 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 3:7-8.

It was finally time for God’s people to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land! It was a long time coming, to say the least.

Way back in Genesis 12, Abraham began the journey toward this land God had promised to His people. All through the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament, we read about how God prepared His people to enter into the Promised Land. After the death of Moses, the mantle of leadership was passed to Joshua. He was the one who got to lead the people of Israel into the land that God had chosen for them.

No pressure, though.

The book of Joshua opens with God giving Joshua his marching orders (literally). He instructed Joshua to “be strong and courageous.” God didn’t say it just once, but four times. He said it three times in just four verses and then one last time before the end of the chapter.

Then in chapter 3, we read that God instructed Joshua to tell the priests who carried the ark of the covenant (God’s dwelling place at that point) to go and stand in the raging river. God didn’t promise to make the waters part before they entered the water. They had to step out and trust that God would make a way for them - as He promised He would.

How about you? Have you ever had what seemed like an overwhelming responsibility placed upon your shoulders? Perhaps it was when you welcomed a new child into your family. Or you were promoted to a new position at work. Or maybe you or a family member was given a diagnosis that would require long days of treatment or suffering through an illness.

In those moments when a responsibility seems too great, God promises to never leave us or forsake us. We can be strong and courageous as we place our trust in Him and not ourselves.

What difficult situation are you facing? Where could you use a little strength or courage? Pause and ask the Lord to meet you in your challenge and to walk with you through the raging waters and to the other side.