Step Out in Faith 踏进河里
Dexu Xia
When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river. Joshua 3:8
The guest speaker spoke on the wisdom of trusting God and “stepping into the river.” He told of a pastor who trusted God and chose to speak the truths of the Bible in a sermon despite the new law of his land. He was convicted of hate crimes and spent thirty days in jail. But his case was appealed, and the court ruled he had the right to give a personal interpretation of the Bible and to urge others to follow.
The priests carrying the ark of the covenant had to make a choice too—either step into the water or stay on the shore. After escaping Egypt, the Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years. Now they stood on the banks of the Jordan River, which was at flood stage and dangerously high. But they took that step, and God caused the waters to recede: “As soon as . . . their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing” (Joshua 3:15-16).
When we trust God with our lives, He gives us the courage to move forward, whether choosing to speak the truths of the Bible or to take a step into unknown territory. During the pastor’s trial, the court heard the gospel through listening to his sermon. And, in Joshua, the Israelites crossed safely into the promised land and shared about the power of God with future generations (v. 17; 4:24).
If we step out in faith, God will see to the rest. By: Alyson Kieda
When have you faced a frightening situation and were afraid to take the first step? How did God help you to move forward?
Dear God, I need Your courage. Please help me to step out in faith.
你们到了约旦河的水边上，就要在约旦河水里站住。—约书亚记3章8节
受邀到教会的讲员以“踏进河里”为例，讲述信靠上帝的智慧。他说到有一位牧师因为信靠上帝，不顾当地新的法律禁令，选择在讲道中传讲圣经真理。后来这位牧师被判犯了仇恨罪，入监服刑30天。但他的案子获得上诉，法院裁定他有权对圣经做出个人的解释，并敦促别人遵从。
在旧约时代，那些抬着约柜的祭司们也必须做出选择，是要踏进约旦河里，还是要停留在河岸上。以色列人逃出埃及之后，在旷野漂流四十年之久。如今他们站在约旦河畔，那时正是河水泛滥期，水涨极高。然而，当他们的脚一踏进河里，上帝就让河水退去，圣经说：“他们到了约旦河，脚一入水，那从上往下流的水，便……停住。”（约书亚记3章15-16节）
当我们把自己的生命交给上帝，祂会赐给我们向前迈进的勇气，去传讲圣经真理或踏入未知的领域。那位牧师受审的时候，法庭内的每一个人都因他的供词听到了福音。而在约书亚记，以色列人安然过河，进入应许之地，让世世代代的人得知上帝的大能（17节，4章24节）。
我们只需凭信心跨出第一步，剩下的都在上帝手里。
作者： 柯爱莉
你何时曾面对惊险情况，而不敢跨出第一步？
上帝如何帮助你凭信心迈步向前？
亲爱的上帝，我需要从祢而来的勇气，请帮助我能满怀信心地跨出第一步。09072024