That’s what they say about an acorn, for example! The whole oak tree is encased therein, that single little “seed” has the real “potential” (the “certainty” in most cases) of becoming a majestic giant (the fully grown oak) thriving in the forest! And this is what I meant in today’s Lesson title, the “whole” enclosed in the “part.”

Out Text Verse this morning is Joshua 3:10. “And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.”

Wow!

What’s the “hereby” of verse 10, though? By what act or deed shall the Jews know such a sweeping truth? That ALL her enemies shall fall!

It is this: “The waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.” Verse 13

God is saying, “Trust me.”

“Watch your leaders wade into the Jordan, a River flooding at that moment! Watch ME stop the River from flowing (overflowing)! Then YOU follow us … into the (dry) river bed! I SHALL LEAD YOU to the other side! You will step up from the (once) muddy river trench … into/onto the LAND of Canaan!”

God is saying … IF you trust me in the crossing of Jordan … I will guarantee you victory in your forthcoming endeavors in Canaan as well!

(Trusting in the so-called little things ALWAYS HELPS in trusting in the so-called larger things!) Remember the words to the old song, “Each victory will help you … some other to win.”

Yes, by faith conquer Jordan … and you shall conquer the Canaanites! And the Hittites! And the Hivites! And the Perizzites! And the Girgashites! And the Amorites! And the Jebusites!

Wow!

What a promise, from God!

(Not just walk through the Jordan and I shall give you Jericho, their first obstacle! But … walk through Jordan (dried up Jordan) and I shall give you everything! All the territory!)

That’s our great God!

But is there a corresponding New Testament Truth here?

I believe so.

Paul writes to the Philippians about God’s Power … the vey same Power that aided these Jews under Joshua’s command long ago … “He (the Lord) which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

In other words … WHAT GOD HAS STARTED … HE WILL COMPLETE … in the lives of us Believers!

He was with us at the Jordan (the beginning) … and so He will be with us to the end, in every single battle! Yes, sounds so encouraging!

Paul was sure of this truth, too! “Being CONFIDENT of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Hallelujah!

So I close … trust Jesus in everything today, the small things included! No telling where they will lead! Likely to victory in some big thing!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell