Tues.’s Devo - Crossing the Jordan

Read: Numbers 32:1-33:39; Luke 4:31-5:11; Psalm 64:1-10; Proverbs 11:22
I don’t know what to think about Reuben and Gad’s request; I have so many questions. Had they seen their land yet or were they afraid to take a chance when they had what they wanted already? The fact that God was angry at their decision makes me think that they were settling for what they knew would work instead of putting their trust in the land God had chosen for them. When they promised to help everyone else get their land, God’s heart was appeased but I wonder if things would have been different if they had gone on across the Jordan to their land. God does give us free will, but his plan is always the best. It might not always be the easiest but there is benefit in that also.
I look at the Red Sea as the passage into salvation. The wilderness is that testing time where you grow and mature. The Jordan River is the passage into the spirit-filled life. Many Christians are content to spend their lives in the wilderness and never cross over into the spirit-led life. Over the Jordan is where the promises of God are fulfilled. That is where spiritual warfare is fought and won. That is the land of milk and honey; joy and spirit; battles and victories.
Jesus’ ministry was first to the Jews so that is where he ministered at first. When he cast out a demon from a man in the synagogue, word spread very quickly. Next he rebuked a fever from Simon’s mother-in-law. Many realized that Jesus was the Christ but Jesus told them not to announce that publicly. When they begged him to stay there, Jesus explained that he had to go to other cities also. He preached in the synagogues of Galilee to the Jew first.
Jesus taught by using natural things and turning them into super-natural situations. He wanted to talk about his mission of saving souls so he used fish to stand for the souls. He showed them that where once there was no salvation, now many would be saved. Simon, who had seen Jesus heal his mother-in-law, now saw how Jesus could command nature. Surely this was the Messiah. He forsook everything and followed Jesus.
Lord, we want to be like Simon and forsake all and follow You. We want to cross over the Jordan into the promised land and walk in Your Spirit.