Daily Devotional
"Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel passed over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan."
Joshua 3:17
The priests didn’t just step into the water and then immediately cross to safety. They stood in the middle of the riverbed while all two million Israelites passed by them. Everyone else got to cross on completely dry ground, but those priests got their feet wet and then stood in the most dangerous position – they would be the first to die if the waters resumed their flow.
This is a picture of servant leadership. Sometimes God calls us to stand in difficult places so others can cross over safely. Those priests were a half-mile ahead of everyone else, taking the greatest risk, serving the entire nation by their willingness to stand firm in the place of danger.
This morning, there may be someone God is calling you to serve by standing firm in a difficult place. Maybe it’s in your family, your workplace, or your community. Your willingness to take the risk, to stand in the uncomfortable place, creates a way for others to pass through safely.
Today's Challenge
Is there a situation where God is calling you to "stand in the middle" - to take a risk or remain in a difficult place - so others can find safety or success? How can you serve others through your own courage?
Prayer
Lord, give me a servant's heart that's willing to stand in difficult places for the sake of others. Help me not to always seek the safest path, but to be willing to take risks when it serves Your purposes and helps others find their way through their own impossible situations. Use my courage to create pathways for others. In Jesus' name, Amen.
