Originally posted: 08/21/2019

As He promised, the Lord brought His people to the edge of the Promised Land. And just like that, while at flood stage, God’s people have crossed through the raging Jordan River.

There was to be no doubt of how this miraculous feat was accomplished and there was to be no memory lapse regarding this pivotal point in their history.

By just the touch of His Mighty Hand, He alone dried up the waters, just as He had done to the Red Sea, and led His people safely through.

“For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the Lord your God had done to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed; ²⁴ that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever,” (4:23-24).

And today I was struck with this reality: His Mighty Hand not only reveals His might and omnipotence, but His Mighty Hand also reveals His Heart. In His works of power, His Heart of faithfulness, compassion, grace, and mercy are revealed. His Holiness is also clearly displayed, for who is like our God and who has done what our God has done by His Mighty Hand?

Consider His Mighty Hand

• In His Faithfulness He fulfills His promise by His Mighty Hand
  • They said to Joshua, “Surely the Lord has given all the land into our hands; moreover, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us.”
    (3) ¹ Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and he and all the sons of Israel set out from Shittim and came to the Jordan, and they lodged there before they crossed. ² At the end of three days the officers went through the midst of the camp; ³ and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it,” (Joshua 2:24-3:3)

• In His Compassion He leads the way by His Mighty Hand
  • For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the Lord your God had done to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed; (4:23).

• In His Grace He establishes reminders by His Mighty Hand
  • Those twelve stones which they had taken from the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. ²¹ He said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ ²² then you shall inform your children…” (4:20).

• In His Mercy He reveals His power to all the peoples of the earth by His Mighty Hand
  • “that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty…” (4:24).

• In His Holiness, He instructs His children by His Mighty Hand, that He must be feared
  • “…so that you may fear the Lord your God forever,” (4:24).

How do we respond to His Mighty Hand?

Until we place our faith in the sacrifice of His Son on the cross, the thought of His Mighty Hand often produces a sense of dread and fear, and with good reason…

 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God, (Hebrews 10:31).

But in His mercy and grace He draws us to His love. When, by faith, we are born again and belong to Him, we can rest in His Mighty Hand of faithfulness, compassion, grace and mercy.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. ¹⁹ We love, because He first loved us, (1 John 4:18-19).

By His Mighty Hand, the Lord births in us a holy fear, a reverent fear; not a fear of punishment, but a consuming awe in absolute wonderment of His love. The end result of His Mighty Hand is to be that we may fear Him all the days of their lives …“so that you may fear the Lord your God forever,” (4:24).

He is so good to us. How can we not fear Him? But the stresses and pressures of life can bring on a sort of spiritual amnesia. We too must construct our own memorials. Time in His Word will strengthen both our memory and our ability to walk in holy fear as we see His faithfulness, compassion, mercy, grace and holiness.

Establish Your word to Your servant,
As that which produces reverence for You, (Psalm 119:38).

Oh that the Lord would establish us as a holy memorial to His Mighty Hand, living stones built up to bring Him glory in holy reverence.

…you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ, (1 Peter 2:5).

Let us pray we will generate curiosity by our holy living, that others would ask, and we would be ready to share the hope we have in the One Who saved us by His Mighty Hand.

…but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; (1 Peter 3:15).

Let’s Grow Together!