Have you have been in that condition where you felt that if you could just get over a barrier or problem, you will be okay? I mean you know that it is just that one thing that’s standing between you and where you ought to be.
It could even be that you are facing such barrier right now; there is something in-between you and the next level you are due for. I have a word for you and I want you to believe God and His word.
Gideon was faced with such a barrier. He and his three hundred men had conquered and killed two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb but ahead of them were two Kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna who had escaped during the war.
Imagine killing only princes without conquering the kings! You have not won because the kings will produce new princes. You have to eliminate both the parent enemy with his posterity in order to ensure complete victory.
– Olufemi Babalola
Gideon and his men were pursuing these kings when he met a barrier – the Jordan river. The Bible tells us that,
“When Gideon came to the Jordan, he and the three hundred men who were with him crossed over, exhausted but still in pursuit”
Judges 8:4 NKJV
One thing I found fascinating about this verse of scripture is that the Bible didn’t say, “If Gideon came to the Jordan…” but “When Gideon came to the Jordan…”
In other words, there is no probability about Gideon coming to Jordan; he will definitely come to Jordan. It is only a matter of time.
And we will also always come to Jordan in the journey of life no matter how small. There will be that moment in our lives when something seems to constitute a barrier to where we want to go. We cannot escape it.
Through the scriptures, I noticed something about Jordan:
There is always something better or greater on the other side of Jordan.
All you need to do is cross over Jordan and you are crossing over into victory, success, breakthrough and better things.
For example;
JACOB
Jacob in Genesis 32:10 said,
“… for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies…”
On this side of Jordan, Jacob had only one staff. He was running away from his embittered brother, Esau whom he had cheated.
He was single, struggling, stressed and stranded. He was full of fear and frustration.
But after he crossed over to the other side of Jordan, he became two massive companies, married and multiplied. He crossed over Jordan empty but he returned full.
THE ISRAELITES
The Israelites too were on this side of Jordan with some history of success. At the time they came to Jordan, they had conquered two kings of the Amorites, Sihon and Og such that two and a half tribes requested to settle on this side of Jordan.
But that wasn’t God’s perfect will. On the other side was Canaan and all the land flowing with milk and honey which God promised.
God had to miraculously divide Jordan for His people to get to their promised land.
“… and all Israel crossed over on dry ground until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan”.
Joshua 3:17 NKJV
That barrier had to be removed for the people of God to advance into their possessions.
ELISHA
On this side of Jordan too, Elisha was mocked by fellow seminary students. His boss, Elijah was about to be taken away from him and he would soon be lonely and unprotected.
His covering was about to be taken away. But Elisha persisted until he crossed over Jordan with Elijah to the other side where he received the double portion of Elijah’s anointing.
The people who once mocked and berated him came to celebrate, seek his counsel and bow to him.
Imagine if in each case, Jordan could not be crossed. This is why Jordan, in this context, is that barrier between you and where you ought to be. Jordan is that river you always need to cross for you to get into your next level.
YOU CAN CROSS OVER ON DRY GROUND
One interesting thing about the case of the Israelites and Elisha crossing over Jordan was the the fact that they miraculously walked through the river on a dry ground.
It was effortless. They went through water but their clothes were never wet because God miraculously parted the river.
This is why you don’t have to look like what you have been through. It doesn’t have to be difficult. You don’t have to have scars and bad experiences before you can go over this Jordan.
You don’t have to sail or swim through. God can miraculously cut through this Jordan and you will walk through it as if you are walking over a normal dry land. What others did with stress, you can do with absolute ease if you engage God.
YOU AND EVERYONE WITH YOU
I also noticed that when Gideon crossed over Jordan, it was “he and the three hundred men who were with him”. Nobody was left behind.
Joshua didn’t leave any Israelite behind when they crossed Jordan, “all the Israelites passed over Jordan on dry ground” (Joshua 3:17 KJV).
Elijah passed over with Elisha and when Jacob crossed over again, no one was left behind.
It is one thing for you to cross Jordan, it is another for you to be able to help others cross their Jordan.
You shouldn’t be the only one who is saved and filled with the Holy Spirit in your family. You shouldn’t be the only rich person while others are left on the other side in poverty. All should cross over with you.
You shouldn’t, as a husband, leave your wife and children in the other side of Jordan. As a pastor, your church members shouldn’t be left swimming and struggling through Jordan while you have crossed to the other side.
You should be like the priests who “stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground”. They didn’t leave the midst of Jordan “until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan” (Joshua 3:17).
CROSS OVER
Now, what’s the Jordan standing between you and your promised land? What’s that thing that has constituted a hindrance to the kind of life and future that you deserve?
Perhaps you need to cross over from singleness into the married life or fruitlessness into fruitfulness. Or maybe the Jordan has been unemployment, I see Jordan parting before you today.
Jacob crossed over Jordan, the Israelites crossed it, Elisha crossed it, Gideon also did when he came to Jordan. It is your turn today. Let the mighty hand of God take you over every barrier before you. Let that Jordan cut before you and give way.
I see you crossing over every barrier to your advancement this day. You will cross over from where you are right now into where you ought to be.
See you on the other side!
Love what you read?
Then use any of the share buttons to tell your friends.
Let me also have your thoughts in the comment section.
You can also…
Subscribe to my mailing list and receive the latest updates, FREE resources, notifications of articles on Spirituality, Purposeful Living, Productivity, and Relationships. Join here.
To supercharge your spiritual life, join other Vibrant Christians in a WhatsApp group where we share deep insights in the word every week, join here.
Are you a writer? Then, join a company of Writers Changing the world. Join here.
You can also subscribe to my Telegram Channel here.
Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or like my Facebook Page.
You can talk to me directly here or here!
Thank you.