You know how, as you are reading the Bible, something suddenly jumps off the page that you never saw before! That happened to me last week.
In Joshua 4, where the people of Israel crossed the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land, I saw something I had never noticed before.
“The men of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over, armed, in front of the Israelites, as Moses had directed them. About 40,000 armed for battle crossed over before the LORD to the plains of Jericho for war.” – Joshua 4:12-13
Whenever I have thought about the Jordan River crossing, I’ve always seen it simply as the priests, carrying the Ark, going first … then a massive horde of people following behind.
Never have I ever seen it with 40,000 fierce warriors armed for battle going ahead of the people!
But when you think about it, is it not genius?!? If the people of Israel are crossing the Jordan to invade and conquer the land, wouldn’t those already living there use the vulnerability of the river-crossing as an opportunity for attack?
But not when 40,000 fierce warriors armed for battle are leading the way! Those warriors were a clear sign to everyone observing the river-crossing of: “Don’t mess with us!”
And so it is, in the same way, God goes before us and protects us in our own personal lives.
It may not be obvious … like the 40,000 fierce warriors armed for battle. But God goes before us to protect us nonetheless!
“The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8
