Come here and listen to the words of the LORD, your God. This is how you will know that there is a living God in your midst, who at your approach will dispossess the Canaanites. The ark of the covenant of the LORD of the whole earth will precede you into the Jordan. When the soles of the feet of the priests carrying the ark of the LORD, the Lord of the whole earth, touch the water of the Jordan, it will cease to flow; for the water flowing down from upstream will halt in a solid bank.
The Israelites left Egypt by the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea and they enter the Promised Land by another miraculous crossing. These two miracles bookend the long road from slavery in Egypt to the reception of the commandments and the Law to wandering in the desert to freedom in the Land of Milk and Honey. This passage mimics our own spiritual journey. First, we must trust in God enough to accept His call to rise up and follow Him out of our slavery to sin. Then, we must learn our faith and manifest the commandment to know, love, and serve God and His children. We must also purify ourselves of our fears, doubts, and imperfections. Lastly, we must take the leap and march forth into the world secure in our faith, hope, and love. By following this Way, we prepare ourselves for a Promised Land not in this life, but in the next... the Heavenly Kingdom where we will spend eternity with God and the community of saints.
Do we trust in God enough to let Him lead us away from out temptations and out of our sins? How can we manifest the commandments and purify ourselves of all that holds us back from being good and faithful servants? Are we ready to confidently walk the Way God has prepared for us?
O Lord, you are ever in our midst no matter where we are in our journey.
Amen.
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