Joshua 4:24
“That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.”
Israel did not understand the impact that crossing over the Jordan River would have on their lives and their future. The Jordan River was that border that completely divided them from Egypt. When they crossed over this river, they were saying that they would no longer go back to Egypt. In essence they were saying that they were choosing to live God’s lifestyle and live in His will for the rest of their lives. That decision not only had an impact on them, but it also had an impact on those around them and on future generations.
Egypt has always been a type of the world. The Jordan River is that decision when the Christian decides that they are choosing God’s life and are no longer going back into the world. Every Christian has to make this decision at some point in their life if they are ever going to be used greatly by God. The impact of this decision is amazing. There will be few decisions that will have a greater impact on you, your testimony, and future generations than the decision that you are going all-in on serving the LORD. The verse above shows us the three things this decision impacts.
First, it will personally impact your life forever. The decision to cross over will cause you to “fear the LORD your God for ever.” One of the reasons many Christians struggle in their walk with God is because they have never made that decision where they said the world is no longer an option in their life. When you make this decision, it will cause you to fear the LORD. The fear of the LORD will help keep you from sin, and it will help you to realize what God’s power can do through you. This will change the way you think and every decision you make when you cross over your Jordan River and say that the world is no longer an option in your life.
Second, it will impact those around you. God shows us what this decision will make on those around you when He says, “That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty…” People will see God working through you when the world is no longer an option in your life. They will see the power of God working through you when you face hardships and heartaches. One of the greatest reasons that the world has not seen God’s power is because the Christian has not removed the option of the world from their lives. When you make this decision, God will begin to work mightily in your life and the world will take notice.
Third, it will impact generations to come. God had them set up a pillar of stone to remind the generations to come what this decision did for them. When the world is no longer an option, future generations will take notice and follow. Maybe one of the reasons we are losing future generations is because we have not yet removed this option in our lives. Friend, this decision will impact whether your children and grandchildren will serve the LORD. If you want your children and grandchildren to serve the LORD, then you must remove the option of going back to the world.
Let me encourage you to cross over your Jordan River. The impact this decision will have on your entire future and usefulness is immense. This decision to cross over will impact how much your life will have an impact on others for the LORD.