Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Joshua 3:7-17.

“Now the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you.  You shall, moreover, command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’”  Then Joshua said to the sons of Israel, “Come here, and hear the words of the LORD your God.”  Joshua said, “By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite.  Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over ahead of you into the Jordan.  Now then, take for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man for each tribe.  It shall come about when the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan will be cut off, and the waters which are flowing down from above will stand in one heap.”

So when the people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant before the people, and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest), the waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap, a great distance away at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan;  and those which were flowing down toward the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off.  So the people crossed opposite Jericho.  And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan.”  Joshua 3:7-17.

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Today’s Scripture focuses on Joshua and the priests.  Therefore, this devotion primarily focuses on our preachers and teachers.  But, because we all are priests, so to speak, it also applies to all of us.  See 1 Peter 2:9-10. 

Israel may have had fear and anxiety crossing the Jordan and facing a host of enemies.  Today, we may also have fear and anxiety as we face apostasy and old age, figuratively, we face crossing our own Jordan.  

2 Thessalonians chapter 2 helps us.  It is too long to quote in full, but as an introduction before the main Scripture for this devotion, I will quote only the first two verses.  “Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.”  2 Thessalonians 2:1-2.

As the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD were commanded to stand firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, preachers and teachers of Reformed Doctrine (and the rest of us) are called to “stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught”.  In other words, do not fear or worry about God saving every single one of His elect.  He is sovereign Almighty God Who will accomplish all of His good purpose.  See Isaiah 46:9-11.     

“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.  It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.”  2 Thessalonians 2:13-17.