In this daily Bible reading is the account of Joshua leading Israel across the Jordan River to begin their conquest of ‘the promised land.’ God stopped the Jordan River from flowing so that all Israel could cross on dry ground. Over one million people crossed the river.
After they crossed, Joshua commanded the people (one from each tribe) to take 12 stones from the middle of the river and stack them at their first campsite in the land. This was to be a memorial to Israel of God’s miraculous help to Israel. God had dried both the Jordan River and the Red Sea to provide a path for Israel.
The stone memorial was meant to be a reminder of God’s power for generations to come. Those who did not witness the miracles would then know the power of God and learn to fear God.
The Bible says, “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.” I believe that this healthy fear of God is the initial motivation that leads believers to the path of righteousness. This healthy fear eventually transforms itself into a true love for God and a sincere desire to obey Him.
I believe that after a person believes in and demonstrates love for God, God will then draw that person to believe in Jesus. The Bible says that ‘no one can come to Jesus unless God draws them.’ They are not able to believe in Jesus unless God enables that belief.
The Bible indicates that the ‘fear of God’ is the first step in the journey that leads to Jesus. I suggest that a person take that first vital step to believe God and acquire healthy fear that leads one to live rightly before God.
