Joshua 4:19–24 ‘For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over.’ (v23)
Experience is knowledge gained from repeated trials. In our Christian life, whilst such knowledge doesn’t come easily, we can find encouragement when observing God’s fingerprints on our life experience.
It’s easy to lose confidence in God when life is difficult. Indeed, part of maturing as a Christian is accepting that we’re not immune to life’s slings and arrows simply because of our Christian faith and prayers.
Indeed, we live with the mystery of prayer when our requested outcomes fail to materialise.
The nature of love is to trust the character and integrity of the object of that love, not simply measure it by external benefits. Love is itself a mystery defying definition, hence why so many ask the question, ‘How do I know if I’m in love?’
God told Israel that historical events, things they had heard of but never experienced, were sufficient ground on which to build their lives. The same is true for us as we gaze back upon our crucified Saviour.
When life supports appear to crumble, and we don’t know where to place our confidence, it is time to remind ourselves of God’s demonstrable promises recorded in Scripture.
These are carried within the mystery of God’s revelation, even as the ground appears to open in readiness to consume us. That mystery is strong enough to absorb our anger, fear and frustration. It is in fact all we have in the face of a troubling and unknowable future
SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER: Job 12:1–13; Isa. 64:1–12; Luke 1:57–66; Acts 7:39–56.
AN ACTION TO TAKE: What are the key lessons you have learnt through life experience? How have they shaped your understanding of God, yourself and your life?
A PRAYER TO MAKE: ‘Lord, I choose to trust Your promises even when they appear out of reach. Amen.’
