Finding Your Faith in Life’s Biggest Challenges
An abstract of Connor Kraus’ sermon on February 2, 2025, in the Joshua series. Watch the sermon video here.
Have you ever faced a challenge that seemed impossible to overcome? Maybe it was a difficult relationship, a career change, or a personal struggle that felt like too much to handle. In the Bible, the Israelites faced their own massive obstacle: crossing the Jordan River to enter and possess the land that God had promised them. Their story teaches us powerful lessons about faith, courage, and remembering God's faithfulness.
The Jordan River: More Than Just Water
The Jordan River might not seem as impressive as the Mississippi or the Amazon, but for the Israelites, it was incredibly important. It marked the boundary of the Promised Land – the place God had promised to Abraham's descendants hundreds of years earlier. During flood season, when the Israelites needed to cross, the river was overflowing its banks. Imagine trying to move tens of thousands of people and their possessions and animals across those rushing waters!
Taking the First Step of Faith
Here's where the story gets interesting. God didn't part the waters first and then tell the people to walk through. Instead, He asked the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant (which represented God's presence) to step into the rushing water. Only when their feet touched the water did God make it stand up in a wall, creating dry ground for the people to cross.
This teaches us something powerful: Sometimes, God waits for us to take the first step of faith before showing us His power. It's like telling a friend you'll meet them for lunch – you don't wait at home until they text you that they've arrived at the restaurant. You go, expecting them to show up!
Building a Memorial of Faith
After crossing the river, God asked the Israelites to do something that might seem strange: He told them to pile up twelve large stones from the riverbed as a memorial. Why? These stones weren't just for the people who crossed that day – they were for future generations. When children would ask, "What do these stones mean?" parents could tell the story of God's amazing power and faithfulness.
Making It Personal: Your Jordan River Moments
We all face our own "Jordan Rivers" – situations that seem impossible to cross on our own. Maybe you're:
Dealing with a difficult health situation
Trying to overcome an addiction
Facing a major life transition
Wrestling with questions about faith
Working to repair a broken relationship
Just like the Israelites, we have two important tasks: expecting great things from God and remembering what He does in our lives.
Practical Ways to Remember God's Faithfulness
Here are some simple ways you can create your own "memorial stones" to remember God's work in your life:
Share Your Story: Tell others about times God has helped you through difficult situations
Create Physical Reminders: Keep meaningful objects or photos that remind you of God's faithfulness
Start Family Traditions: Make time to talk about faith during meals or before bed
Celebrate Spiritual Milestones: Remember important moments in your faith journey
Help Others: Share your experiences with people facing similar challenges
Your Next Step
God is still in the business of parting waters and making paths through impossible situations. But just like the priests who had to step into the Jordan, sometimes we need to take that first step of faith – even when we can't see how things will work out.
Are you facing your own Jordan River right now? We'd love to walk alongside you on your journey. Join us this Sunday to learn more about a God who doesn't just part waters but walks with us through every challenge we face. Whether you're new to faith or have been following God for years, you'll find a welcoming community ready to support you on your journey. Plan a visit today.