The Jordan, Jericho and the little meter

Jordan River at Flood Stage

River - raging. Walls towering.  I wonder what the Israelites must have felt, standing in front of the Jordan at flood stage or staring up at the walls of Jericho while standing at the base with the Lord prodding - "Step in." or "Shout!".  What was it like that millisecond before the first guy carrying the ark put his foot in the water or during that pause just before Joshua told them "...Now SHOUT!"?  Was it fear? Or was it anticipation?

I think it was the latter.  I think that somewhere along the way carrying the ark up to the Jordan fear became anticipation of what God was about to do as they approached the torrent.  I think that nearing the end of that 7th time marching around the city God did a work in their hearts changing the thoughts from "really Joshua?  were just walking around a wall.." to God is moving something fantastic is about to happen.  And of course...the miraculous, the fantastic did happen.

I've been struggling to understand how God is going to get us across our Jordan and how he's going to blow those walls that stand in the way of getting Jacob out of that orphanage.  We really do have no means to do so at the moment.  Last night as I lay in bed, I was sleepless.  My thoughts were consumed with "...it's getting close and we are so far behind on funding...how?"  Then the enemy was there with condemnation of course "..you're failing...you screwed this up...if you were smarter you would have..." -you know how he operates.  But then I heard something else: "Marshall, where do you have your faith placed?  In people?  In yourself? Or is your faith in ME?  Right away I knew.

Those of us raising money for adoptions that have those little fund raising meters on our blogs I think are tempted (me included) to wake up and check the little meter each morning hoping for it to move.  I learned last night that I had put my faith in the little meter and removed it from the one "...who can do immeasurably more that we can hope for or ask".  Not good.

So what now?  Our Jordan is getting closer - we feel the spray.  The walls are getting nearer - daunting.  So what now?  I'm placing my hope in my helper who is the ultimate Father to the Fatherless who desires to place Jacob in a family even more than we do.  So I think in stead of fear I have anticipation ...not of the little meter moving but of what God is going to do.  So to those of you who are working to the same goal - bringing an orphan home..resist the temptation to stare at the meter and stare squarely into the eyes of Jesus and know he's the same one who parted the Jordan and the same one who crumbled the walls.