Faith Before the Miracle: What Crossing the Jordan Teaches Us About Courage

The Heart of the Message

Pastor Kirt Anderson looks back on the journey that led Naples Community Church to this moment, tracing it back to the story of Joshua leading Israel across the Jordan River into the promised land. He reminds us that faith often means taking the first step into uncertainty before we ever see how God is going to provide, just as the priests had to step into the water before it parted. The message is ultimately an invitation to trust that if God brought you to a place, He will also bring you through it.

Looking for the full service stream? Watch Here

What Does It Mean to Be Strong and Courageous in the Bible?

In the opening chapter of Joshua, God tells him four times to be strong and courageous. Pastor Kirt explains that this call is not separate from faith, it grows out of it. Strength and courage are what result when God’s people trust that He is partnering with them, so being strong and courageous is less about relying on our own resolve and more about stepping forward because we trust God is present.

Why Did the Israelites Have to Get Their Feet Wet Before the Jordan River Stopped?

Pastor Kirt points out that the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant had to step into the river before the water was cut off upstream. There was no dry path laid out in advance for them to see. He describes this moment as a picture of faith itself, not the absence of risk, but the willingness to move forward before the outcome is visible.

Who Was Rahab and Why Does She Matter in the Story of Joshua?

Rahab was a woman in Jericho who helped Joshua’s spies escape by hiding them and lowering them from the city wall using a rope, according to Pastor Kirt’s telling. Despite her background, he notes that she became one of the ancestors listed in the genealogy of Jesus, an example of how God works through unexpected people to bring about His purposes. Her story is offered as evidence that no one is outside the reach of God’s plan.

Scripture Focus

Anchor Passage: Joshua 3:5 Joshua told the people to purify themselves, because the next day the Lord was about to do amazing things among them. Read the full chapter on Bible Gateway (NLT)

Additional References:

• Joshua 3:1-17 (the crossing of the Jordan)
• Joshua 1:9 (the call to be strong and courageous)
• Joshua 2 (Rahab and the spies)
• John 14:2-3 (the Father’s house has many rooms)