On Dry Solid Ground

In 1986, on a beautiful afternoon, during a church conference in Belgium; an elderly gentleman from England, James Dean, joined us for an afternoon outing in the countryside near Brussels, Belgium.  We found ourselves on the wooded grounds adjoining the estate of King Leopold.  This was not on a tourist map and we had stumbled upon it by accident.  As evening drew near, we started on our journey back to the conference center and got lost.  The newly paved road narrowed as it became gravel; then dirt.  Too narrow to turn around, we kept going as it turned to mud.  Ahead were ruts that were deeper that the axel of our little Fiat.  A split second decision had to be made to try to crisscross the ruts and pray for an opening to turn around.  With an eighty-six year old passenger in the back seat; the threat of being stuck in the woods overnight and hypothermia, loomed overhead.  It was mid-October.  Never were my driving skills ever so challenged.  In God’s mercy, a clearing of dry solid ground made a perfect place to turn around, but the ruts had to be traversed again.  Successfully back on that newly paved road, James commented, in his very British accent, “By George, I do rather prefer being a passenger than a driver!”

It never seems to cease to amaze me, how God provides dry solid ground for his people.  We need to keep the Bible stories of such miracles in our hearts and minds.  God leads us to impasses so that he can deliver us and thereby strengthen our faith.

Israel came to the impasse of the Red Sea.  Through Moses God parted the sea and they all walked through on dry, solid ground.

“And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left” (Exodus 14:22).

The waters of the Jordan River were parted as Joshua led the children of Israel, on dry, solid ground, into the Promised Land.

“And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan” (Joshua 3:17).

Elijah parted the waters of the Jordan and passed over on dry, solid ground, before he was taken up in a chariot of fire.

“And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground”

(2 Kings 2:8).

Elisha also parted the waters of the Jordan as he passed over on dry, solid ground, after he had received a double portion of the spirit of Elijah.

“And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over” (2 Kings 2:14).

Jesus Christ walked on the Sea of Galilee as if it were dry, solid ground, when he came upon his disciples in a boat.

“And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear (Matthew 14:26 ).

Simon Peter walked on the Sea of Galilee as if it were dry, solid ground, until his lack of faith caused him to sink.

“And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.” (Matthew 14:29).

“God provides us with the solid rock of his Word, the Holy Bible, as a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path; so that we can walk on dry, solid ground.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalms 119:105).

God orders the steps of the righteous

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way” (Psalms 37:23).

When we internalize the Word, we become that light to others; becoming the light of Christ in a dark world.  People are drawn to us.  God sends them to us to share in the light.  Therefore we are encouraged, to always be prepared, to give the reason for the hope, that; lies within us.  As hope filled people, we take on an inviting outward countenance that others see.  It is through one on one testimony; that God leads people to the dry, solid ground of the Church and into the family of God.  We are all qualified to share our testimony with the people within our sphere of acquaintance.  Reach out and share the Word with the people you know.  It is part of your divine calling.