I love this little verse I found the other day. Joshua has just taken over leadership of Israel and the nation has crossed over the Jordan River on dry ground. They have set up a memorial of stones to remind them what God has done for them. Then Joshua says this to the people:
“He [God] did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” (Joshua 4:24)
Of course I immediately recognized the two reasons God dried up the river for them to pass through: so all in the earth would know God’s hand is powerful and so that Israel would always fear God. But what struck me was what Joshua didn’t say.
He didn’t say God rolled back the waters so the children of Israel wouldn’t have to deal with wet feet. Or damp belongings. It wasn’t so they didn’t get knocked down or swept away by the current. Or so that wouldn’t be tired from wading as opposed to walking. In other words, God didn’t perform this miracle because He wanted them to have it easy. Or to be comfortable. He did it to show His power to those who didn’t know Him. He did it to remind His people that His power is to be respected.
How many times have I looked back on something God has done in my life and thanked Him for making my way easy instead of praising Him for showing His power and reminding me of it? How many times have I rejoiced that my feet weren’t wet instead of glorifying the power of the One who commands the water? Far too many, I fear. But it’s never too late to adjust my focus.