A Skeptic’s Guide to Crossing the Jordan

We all have a high calling from the Lord. And at various stages of our lives, he has set before us a preordained plan we are to fulfill. Moreover, God promises that if we act in faith, trusting him, he will bring that plan to fulfillment.

Yet this isn't always easy. As everyone who has walked with Jesus for any length of time knows, following his high calling means we're going to meet obstacles. And one of the most common obstacles is the skeptic's voice. As we seek to cross the Jordan into the Promised Land, we'll hear every kind of voice telling us not to go.

These voices tell us, in very reasonable tones, "It's just not going to happen. Let me explain to you why."

Three types of skeptical voices appear in the life of every Christian:

First, there is an outward skeptic. This is a friend, acquaintance or family member who challenges what we believe we're to do to obey God.

There is also a demonic skeptic. This is the voice of the evil one, who seeks to derail us from our trust in the Lord.

Finally, there is an inner skeptic. This is the voice inside our own minds that raises every kind of argument against obeying what God has asked of us.

Joshua heard all three of these voices as God stirred him to lead Israel to cross over the Jordan River. The crossing held all the promise of God's future glory for his people on the earth. You can be sure, there was no way they would make that crossing without hearing the shrill voices of skeptics trying to dissuade them.

Our God wants to obliterate every skeptical voice that would keep us from obeying his direction for his greater glory. Whenever he asks us to take a step of faith, he is leading us to "cross over" to a measure of trust in him we've never had before.

Over the years, many sincere Christians begin to drift in their faith — some, perhaps, because of a deep disappointment in a previous experience. To step forward in faith now, they have to "cross over" that disappointment, trusting God in a new way.

Perhaps you're trusting God for a blessing to your family or children. Or you're believing him for a certain ministry to be fulfilled in your life. Maybe you're seeking God for freedom from a habitual bondage. Or you simply want to break free from some inner struggle that holds you back from trusting him. Some of us need outright miracles, supernatural interventions for our lives or for a loved one.

In short, God has called all of us to cross over. And when Israel came to the Jordan River, God desired that not one of his people be left behind. Yet the voices of skeptics were constantly there to rebuff his people.

Any experienced Christian will tell you: When you're poised to cross over your Jordan, there is never a time when you're more subject to fear, anxiety, doubt and uncertainty. Why? You're on the brink of possessing the land God has called you to inhabit. That's the time when the enemy — and our flesh — put up resistance.

There are seven things a skeptical voice whispers to all who would cross the Jordan. I want to list those things here. Hopefully, you can discern whether such a voice is working to dissuade you from God's promise.

Skeptical voice number 1: "It's easier where you are."

Life is always easier on this side of the Jordan. Why? Because it's comfortable; nothing is being asked of us. We can enjoy the status quo.

But when God stirs us toward movement, suddenly the things that once made us comfortable become uncomfortable to us. They begin to feel static, decaying, even death–like. If we persist in staying in our comfortable place, we risk losing our vision and passion for life in God.

Joshua wasn't immune to this temptation. When God called him to action, here was the first instruction he gave: "Be strong and courageous" (Joshua 1:6). God spoke this to Joshua three times within four verses. He knew Joshua needed to hear it.

To do what the Lord has called us to, we each have to summon his strength to take it on. We have to stir up courage. For some, this could mean the courage to forsake things that have given a false sense of comfort. If you're stressed, disturbed or disrupted in your spirit, ask the Lord to show you why. If he's asking you to let go of something, that could be your first move in stepping forward with faith.

Skeptical voice number 2: "It's going to take too much effort."

Here is the second lie the skeptic whispers: "You're going to wear yourself out with this. If you go through with it, you'll burn out."

Think about what Joshua faced by asking Israel to take a step of faith. There were well over 1 million Israelites, not including children and babies. Some of these were the elderly and infirm. Think of all the effort that had to be expended, with planning, packing, coordinating, all the workloads and responsibilities.

Here is where many Christians get hung up. They tell themselves, "If it's going to be that difficult, it can't be of the Lord. Can it?"

Do you fear extending yourself? Do you despair when you think about going the extra mile? Following God's calling isn't always easy. But it is grace–filled. Peter tells us the finished work of the cross has accomplished everything we need to live for him. "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness" (2 Peter 1:3).

You don't have to live by your own strength; the Holy Spirit lives in you with power. He will provide you with all the energy you need to do what God says. You'll never burn out if you live and walk in the Spirit, drawing your strength from him.

Skeptical voice number 3: "Some people won't like it."

Whenever you seek to cross over the Jordan, you'll encounter people who don't agree with you. You might even make some of them angry. Their voices may become so powerful you may wonder whether you should risk going forward at all.

Think of the pressure Joshua faced. He had provided strong leadership to that point. And he had earned a great deal of trust from people. That was important for a leader whose nation was continually at risk from the surrounding dangers.

I can picture a group of skeptical elders asking him, "Joshua, what do you mean by this? You've amassed all this political capital, and now you want to rock the boat? Why risk the negative feedback? You're going to lose all your God–given power to lead."

Joshua's response was direct and to the point, just as his leadership had been. He said, in essence, "We're not called to please man. We're called to please God."

Not every Israelite was going to be happy with crossing over. Maybe you can identify with Joshua's dilemma. If you're going to cross over your Jordan, be prepared for skeptical responses from your family, your friends, your coworkers: "You want to start a business — in this economy?" "You want that kind of ministry? Why?" "You want to do what with your life? I can't support you. I don't think God is in this."

Now, let me add this: A bold move of faith won't just draw skeptics. It will also draw an army of God's people around you. You'll find prayer, support and energy from faithful sources you never expected.

Skeptical voice number 4: "It's physically impossible."

Israel's crossing of the Jordan happened at harvest time. During that season, the banks of the river weren't just full, they were overflowing. Humanly speaking, it was the worst possible time to cross.

The skeptics around Joshua surely would have scoffed, "You picked the wrong time, Joshua. We've got pregnant mothers, sick people, the elderly. This isn't of God."

Yet God does call us to things that are humanly and physically impossible. He looks at our situation and says, "The conditions are perfect for me to move on behalf of my people. Now the world will see how I rejoice to supply all to my servants."

Right now you may be thinking, "God, I feel you leading me to make a tough decision. I know I don't have what it takes to pull this off." That's right where he wants you. In our weakness, God is made strong. And in our lack, our God is great. We say it is impossible, but with God at the center, nothing is impossible.

Skeptical voice number 5: "It's too risky."

Up to that point in their history, God had parted the water for Israel. This time he was asking them to step into the water first. Specifically, he commanded the priests to carry the ark of the covenant into the rushing river by faith.

Imagine the skeptics' voices now. "God has never led us to do this before. He has always parted the water for us. This isn't obeying him, it's tempting him!"

Even Joshua may have had his doubts: "Lord, I've been down this road before with you. I know how it works. You always part the waters first. Why would you have us step into this rushing, muddy water? It doesn't make sense."

It never matters how risky or challenging the path is that God has laid before us. If we step in with faith, he'll part the water. And we can move across on dry land.

Does this describe a situation in your life at present? Perhaps the Holy Spirit is stirring you to step into a family situation as you never have before. He may be calling you to caution an errant friend as never before. He may be telling you to speak more boldly to a nonbeliever about Jesus.

Of course, it's no sin to say, "Lord, I'm uncomfortable. This is overwhelming. I need your strength and courage." He invites that kind of confession and prayer. But God does have a problem with Christians who say, "I moved out in faith. But when I began feeling a lack of peace, I knew it wasn't from the Lord. So I stopped."

Here is the problem with that line of thinking. If we stopped walking in faith every time we had a lack of peace, we would never do anything in obedience to the Lord. God has already told us the enemy is always seeking to rob us of our peace.

Yes, we should have a prevailing peace that undergirds all we do. Such peace comes from God's immovable Word. But we have to know that if we're about our Father's business, our peace will be rocked from time to time. Even a man of faith like Joshua could be shaken. That's why God told him, "Be of courage. Don't fear."

I know my father, David Wilkerson, never would have gone to New York City to work with gang members if he had thought every lack of peace was God telling him to stop. There are times we have to hear God's voice in the midst of being rocked. His desire for us in chaotic times is not to quit but to discern the Spirit's voice. That's how we find peace when our world is being shaken.

Skeptical voice number 6: "If you don't succeed, you'll be ridiculed."

This skeptical voice says, "You might disgrace yourself. And that will turn people away from God." I remind you: God didn't call us to cross the Jordan as a show of success. His only calling is for us to obey him. The results are up to him.

A century ago in China, many faithful missionaries spent decade after decade toiling with very little to show for their efforts. Some had only one or two converts; others had none. Finally, they were kicked out or died during national upheaval and eventually suffered under decades of harsh, repressive conditions. There was no reason to believe their efforts amounted to anything more than one massive failure.

Today, tens of millions of Chinese Christians worship God in the underground church alone. Sociologists say that by 2050 the church in China will outnumber all believers in the rest of the world.

Were those missionaries' efforts a failure? Not at all. Those servants faithfully planted seeds, not knowing what would result. And most of those missionaries died never knowing the results. I urge you, take their example to heart. Whenever we face negative circumstances, we're tempted to come up with a plan B. But God has no plan B. His plan A is his only plan — and it is your call to obey him. The results are up to him.

Skeptical voice number 7: "Once you cross over, the struggles you face will never end."

The skeptics said to Joshua, "If we cross over, we're going to face enemies as never before. You know the reports. There are thirty–one different kings in the land where we're going. And every one of them wants to do us in. Do you know how many kings we've defeated in the last forty years? Exactly two. What on earth are you thinking? How could this be what God wants?"

Joshua knew it would be difficult — in fact, impossible. But he also knew there was only one way for Israel to go: forward. They were going to cross over, and they would do it in faith, trusting that God had their best interest in mind.

We all know that in the end Joshua and Israel possessed the land and were blessed.

The priests carrying the ark stepped into the rushing river. And as soon as they immersed their toes, God supernaturally parted the water. After that, every evil thing the skeptics predicted was turned into good for God's people.

The people came to a great fortified city occupied by their enemy. When they marched around it, the impenetrable walls came tumbling down. A handful of kings that Israel thought would be hostile instead joined them and doubled the size of their army.

Did all this make super–saints out of Joshua and Israel? Not at all. At one point Joshua failed to obey God. But because he repented quickly, the Lord used the experience to strengthen him. We never stop growing and maturing in our faith, even after accomplishing the most miraculous crossings. Our trust in God never ends.

So, are you willing to step into the river? God may be saying, "If you'll just commit to putting your toe in, you will see me part waves for you. I will carry you across to the other side. It doesn't matter how many enemies and fortresses you face on the other side. I have already laid out my plans for you. And I'll see them through to fulfillment. You have no idea of the victories I have already preordained for you. And it is all to my glory."

I urge you: Trust God to lead you across your Jordan. Let him silence the voice of every skeptic. His plan A for you won't be defeated. He is faithful — and he will do it!