Day 14 - 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting 2026

Day 14: The Soles of the Feet

9 So Joshua said to the children of Israel, “Come here, and hear the words of the Lord your God.” 10 And Joshua said, “By this you 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: 11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over before you into the Jordan. 12 Now therefore, take for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man from every tribe. 13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, the waters that come down from upstream, and they shall stand as a heap.” (Joshua 3:9-13)

In Joshua chapter three, the Israelites stood at the edge of a transition that felt impossible. Ahead lay the Jordan River, cresting its banks at flood stage, and beyond it, a land filled with fortified cities and formidable enemies. In the days and months ahead they would leave behind the familiar rhythm of the last forty years in the wilderness, the manna from heaven and the many miracles that they had witnessed. They were embarking on a new mission, filled with challenges and battles that they had never experienced. In this moment of tension, Joshua calls the assembly together not to strategize, but to listen.

1. The Priority of the Word

Before the miracle occurred, God spoke. Joshua’s first command was for the people to distance themselves from their own anxieties and "hear the words of the Lord" [Joshua 3:9]. In our lives, the "flood" often screams louder than the promise. Perhaps your focus is on the challenges ahead and not on the God who has promised to win the victory! Yet, the narrative in Joshua reminds us that divine action is always preceded by divine revelation. We cannot navigate our transitions if we are not first anchored in what God has said.

2. Wonders as a Witness

Joshua promised that the upcoming miracle wasn't just for convenience; it was for confidence. He stated, “By this you shall know that the living God is among you” [Joshua 3:10]. The stopping of the Jordan served as a "down payment" on future victories. God knew they would face many different enemies in the land of Canaan; He gave them the miracle of the water so they would have a memory to lean on when they faced the battles ahead. God provides "landmark moments" in our lives to prove His presence, ensuring we know that the One who handles the river can also handle the giants.

3. The Requirement of a Step

The most striking detail of the passage is the timing of the miracle. The waters did not roll back when the priests arrived at the bank, nor when they began to pray. The text says the waters were cut off only "as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests... shall rest in the waters" [Joshua 3:13]. God required a physical demonstration of faith. They had to get their feet wet while the river was still rushing. Many of us wait for the path to clear before we move, but God often waits for us to move before He clears the path.
 
Practical Applications

• Silence the Noise: When facing a major decision or obstacle, make a conscious effort to stop "scouting the river" and instead "hear the words of the Lord." Use your days to meditate on God's specific promises rather than your own fears.
• Audit Your "Jordan River" Moments: The Jordan River has echoes of a past victory over the Egyptians at the Red Sea! If you are doubting your future victory, list three times God has "stopped the water" for you in the past. Use these past wonders to fuel your current confidence that He is still "among you" [Joshua 3:10]. 
• Take a Step into the Water: Identify one area where you are waiting for God to move before you act. Faith in this passage is defined as moving toward the obstacle while it is still there. Whether it’s starting a difficult conversation, applying for a new role, or committing to a ministry, take a tangible step of faith and watch how God shows up!

Father, help us to hear your voice. Silence the noise of the challenges around us. Remind us of past victories and help us to take a step of faith today! Amen!