Gratitude in the Face of Obstacles
Bible passage: Joshua 3:7-13
“7. And the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. 8. Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: 'When you reach the edge of the Jordan's waters, go and stand in the river.'" 9. Joshua said to the Israelites, "Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God. 10. This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. 11. See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you."
Today is Thanksgiving Sunday, a time to give thanks for the grace and love that God the Father has bestowed upon us throughout the year. The title of today’s sermon is “Gratitude in the Face of Obstacles”. There was an old donkey that fell into a deep well.
The farmer had no way to rescue the donkey, which was crying out pitifully. Since the donkey was old and the well itself was no longer useful, the farmer decided to fill the well with dirt and bury the donkey. He called the townspeople to shovel dirt into the well. As clumps of dirt fell into the well, the donkey cried even louder, realizing its impending doom. But soon, to everyone’s surprise, the donkey became silent. The townspeople looked down into the well and were astonished. The donkey was shaking off the dirt as it fell onto its back and stepping on it. Gradually, as the dirt piled up, the donkey used it to climb higher and higher until it eventually emerged safely from the well. This story illustrates that, like the donkey, we too may find ourselves in a “well of hardship.”
At times, the circumstances around us may bury us under piles of dirt. However, through God’s power, the love of the Lord, and the help of the Holy Spirit, even our trials can turn into blessings. What seems like a reason for despair can become a source of thanksgiving.
Today’s scripture recounts the moment when the Israelites cross the Jordan River, the final barrier before entering the land of Canaan. Through Joshua, God commands the Israelites gathered at the Jordan River to enter the waters: Verse 8 says, “Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand still in the river.’ ” But there’s a significant challenge here. What is the issue? Verse 15 says, “for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest.” The phrase “all the days of harvest” indicates that it was the rainy season. During this time, the riverbanks of the Jordan would overflow with water. Why did God instruct the Israelites to cross the Jordan River during the flood season? As we explore this question, let us reflect on the true essence of thanksgiving on this Thanksgiving Sunday and consider the gratitude we ought to offer.
1. True gratitude is finding the "reasons for thankfulness" hidden within the overflowing waters of the Jordan River.
In Israel, there are both a "dry season" and a "rainy season," and the condition of the Jordan River changes significantly depending on the season. During the dry season, the Jordan River’s depth is as shallow as about 1 meter, so shallow that adults can walk across it with ease. In contrast, during the rainy season, heavy rains cause the depth to increase to between 3 and 4 meters, making it impossible for people to walk across. The rainy season not only brings a lot of rain but also includes the melting snow from Mount Hermon flowing into the Jordan River, greatly increasing its water volume and widening the river.
The surprising part is that the time God commanded the Israelites to "step into the water" was during the rainy season. As verse 15 mentions, “for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest," meaning it was the harvest season, with the river overflowing its banks, making crossing the river an extremely dangerous situation. God's command signaled that the time had come - the time of God. To live a successful life of faith, we must learn to wait for God's timing. The Bible says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." We believe that "God's time" is always a good time, a time of victory and answered prayers.
But in this case, the situation in front of the Jordan River seemed to be "the worst possible time." Wouldn't it have been better if God had carefully calculated the Israelites' journey to arrive at the Jordan during the dry season instead of the rainy season? Even modern weather forecasts can accurately predict the weather, so would God not know the timing well? Did God make a mistake this time? When Abraham was about to sacrifice his son Isaac, God intervened at the precise moment, calling Abraham's name and stopping the knife, sparing Isaac from the threat of death. When Peter was imprisoned by King Herod and was about to be executed, God sent an angel at the perfect time the day before to rescue him. In this way, God's timing is amazing, precise, and perfect.
Because God works according to His perfect timing, there is joy in waiting for it. Yet, the Israelites, who now needed to cross the Jordan River, were overwhelmed by the sight of the river overflowing its banks. The rainy season brings so much water that it resembles the Red Sea, and yet God commanded the Israelites to cross the Jordan during this time. But from God's perspective, the rainy season was "a good time, God's time" for the Israelites. What does this mean? Imagine if the Israelites crossed the Jordan River during the dry season. During the dry season, the deepest part of the river is only about 1 meter, and they could cross without God's help. Adults could carry their children on their backs and carry goats or sheep in their arms. After many years, what would the Israelites say? “We crossed the Jordan by our strength. We did it without God's help. The last barrier to Canaan, the Jordan River, was crossed by our own ability.”
Since the water was shallow and crossing was easy, they would have experienced no hardship, tension, gratitude, awe, or joy. But, why did God choose the rainy season? Why did He select a time when the river was filled with overwhelming water as the day for crossing the Jordan? What did the Israelites need to experience? Shouldn't they have experienced the God who performs wonders, the God who does extraordinary things, and given glory to the Almighty God? The current overflowing Jordan River, rising to the banks, presented a situation impossible to cross by human power, leaving the Israelites with no choice but to rely on God, look to God, and pray to Him.
As a result, after crossing the Jordan, they could only give all gratitude and glory to God. Crossing the river in such a situation of high water overflow brought an abundance of joy, awe, gratitude, and happiness. The Jordan River, overflowing to the point of being an unconquerable obstacle for the Israelites, held within it the conditions for gratitude and happiness. Thus, even when you grow up in poverty, face hardships in life, and encounter difficulties at every turn, do not live with complaints or resentment. Instead, rely solely on God, live with positivity and gratitude, and you will see a life filled with awe and joy, like the Israelites who crossed the Jordan during the rainy season.
The Bible says, "Rejoice in your suffering," because within suffering are hidden reasons for gratitude. In suffering, God's power is revealed, and the awe, joy, and happiness of life are hidden. 1 Peter 4:13 says, “But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.” Do you know the Walt Disney Company in the United States, famous for the human-like mouse character Mickey Mouse? There is a story behind Walt Disney's success in creating the character of the mouse. It seems that young Walt Disney, a country boy, was good at drawing. He went around asking publishers and newspapers to publish his cartoons, but no one accepted them. One Sunday, feeling defeated, he wandered into a church.
Having no food or place to stay, he wept during the worship service. The pastor, upon hearing his situation, allowed him to stay in the church's storage room until he found work, encouraging him, “Don't lose courage. Remember that God loves you.” The storage room, however, was filled with mice, day and night. Walt Disney, with a warm heart, didn't drive the mice away but shared bits of food with them, and the mice began visiting him more often. While observing these mice, he created the character "Mickey Mouse," which captivated the world and became the foundation for the globally renowned Walt Disney Company. The success, blessings, and reasons for gratitude were hidden in the mice in that church storage room amidst hardship and difficulty. Just as the overflowing waters of the Jordan, which seemed to hinder the Israelites from entering Canaan, held hidden reasons for gratitude, may you also find the gratitude hidden in the obstacles and trials of life. May you offer gratitude even in the face of challenges, and let this Thanksgiving Sunday be filled with joy, awe, and happiness.
2. We must give thanks to God, who made the Israelites cross the Jordan during the rainy season, as He intended to secure their future through the training of their faith.
Why did God have the Israelites cross the Jordan River during the flooding "rainy season"? The second reason can be found in verse 10. Let us examine verses 9 and 10; “Then Joshua said to the sons of Israel, “Come here, and hear the words of the LORD your God.” Joshua said, “By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will certainly drive out before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite”” This verse says, “By this, you shall know.” What does God want them to know?
At this moment, the Israelites cannot understand or give thanks. However, once they enter the land of Canaan and see the seven nations who occupied the land driven out before their eyes, they will understand why God took such an excessively strong method and will give thanks. Crossing the Jordan River meant entering the land of Canaan for the Israelites. However, merely entering the land of Canaan did not mean it immediately became their home. The land of Canaan had long been inhabited by the seven indigenous nations. To truly claim the land as their own, the Israelites would need to overcome these nations. Even if the Israelites overcame the major obstacle of the "overflowing Jordan River," they would still need to face another obstacle: the seven nations of Canaan. Now imagine if the Israelites had crossed the Jordan during the dry season, easily overcoming the river.
What might have happened? The joy of crossing the Jordan would have been short-lived, as they could have been driven out or even destroyed by the seven nations. This is because the Israelites, at the time, were ordinary people who had neither strong faith nor military training. Knowing this, God allowed the Israelites to cross the Jordan during the rainy season to demonstrate His power, strengthen their faith, and prepare them to face the greater obstacle of the seven nations. If they could overcome the greatest obstacle, they would be able to face and defeat smaller ones as well. In the book of 1 Samuel, there is the story of young David defeating Goliath, the strongest warrior of his time.
At the time, Goliath was the greatest threat to Israel’s peace and safety. David, who was not yet 20 years old, was just a teenager. Facing Goliath, the fearsome Philistine warrior, seemed absurd. But why did God allow this seemingly reckless fight? If David could defeat the greatest obstacle, Goliath, then as king, he would be able to overcome any of the surrounding enemies that threatened Israel’s safety and peace. Indeed, as the Bible records, David never lost a battle. He consistently defeated Israel’s enemies, making Israel the most powerful and prosperous nation in its history. In the same way, God wanted to train the faith of the second generation of Israelites, who had not crossed the Red Sea like their parents, through the crossing of the Jordan River.
He wanted to prepare them to become spiritual leaders. Verse 7 says, “Now the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you.”” Just as God was with Moses, who overcame the Egyptian army and crossed the Red Sea, He would also be with Joshua and enable the Israelites to cross the Jordan River and defeat the seven nations of Canaan, securing the land for them. Through this experience, the second generation of Israelites witnessed the same divine power their parents experienced at the Red Sea. They were filled with courage and conviction. “Ah, this is the power of God who parted the Red Sea for our parents!” As they crossed the overflowing Jordan River, they cried out, “Almighty God! The God of Moses and Joshua! The God who parted the Red Sea and now the Jordan River!”
Through this, they made a faith-filled confession: “If this God is with us, there is nothing to fear, no matter what obstacles lie ahead.” When I was in my mid-20s and suffering from a serious illness, if the hospital had easily cured me, would I have developed the faith I have today as a servant of the Lord? In ministry, countless challenges and difficulties arise. Would I have gained the strength and ability to overcome them? Because I overcame the greatest obstacle of my life - an illness that could have led to death - by relying on God’s power and faith, I have been able to stand firm against numerous temptations and challenges from Satan to carry out God’s work. When I was in school, I found calculus and differentiation to be very difficult. But if I studied diligently and could solve these problems during exams, wouldn’t addition and subtraction problems become easy?
I could solve them with my eyes closed. Right now, the Israelites were facing the worst possible obstacle: the flooding Jordan River during the rainy season. Why did God command them to cross it at such a time? This was God’s way of training them. Joshua and the priests, understanding this, carried the Ark of the Covenant forward to cross the Jordan River and conquer Canaan, the final obstacle and greatest challenge. The living God, who works even today, parted the Red Sea and now the Jordan River, removing obstacles for His people and making a way for victory. Those who have experienced crossing the Jordan River by God’s power do not fear hardship.
The more they are tested, the stronger they become. Challenges may come, but recovery comes quickly. Why? Because they have experienced crossing the Jordan during the rainy season and overcoming the greatest obstacles through God’s power. There are two types of obstacles: the Red Sea and the Jordan River. At the Red Sea, what did Moses say to the people? Exodus 14:13–14 says, “But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.””
The Red Sea was parted not by the people’s faith but by the faith of Moses alone. The people were filled with complaints, so Moses told them to “be still.” But the obstacles we face are not just like the Red Sea; some are like the Jordan River. When faced with a Jordan-like obstacle, praying for it to disappear often makes it grow worse. If you pray, “Please lower the water so we can cross,” the water may rise even higher. How can this be? At the Red Sea, Moses said, “Be still, and God will work.” At the Jordan River, Joshua gave a different command. Joshua 3:8 says, “You shall, moreover, command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’” Joshua’s command differed from Moses’ command. Moses said, “Be still and watch God work,” but Joshua said, “Carry the Ark of the Covenant and move forward.”
Thus, there is a saying: The Red Sea was “a miracle that brought faith,” while the Jordan River was “a miracle brought about by faith.” Do you see the difference? The Red Sea was overcome by Moses’ faith alone, but the Jordan River required the collective faith of the entire nation of Israel. For 24 years, Nairobi Manmin Church has overcome challenges and achieved miracles through the late Bishop Myong-Ho Cheong’s faith. But going forward, it is not my faith alone that will overcome obstacles and bring blessings akin to the land of Canaan. It requires the faith of all of us together. Our faith must now mature. Like the people at the Red Sea, we cannot remain passive, thinking, “Moses will handle it.” Even in prayer, we cannot merely say, “Lord, bless me, answer me,” without taking action.
Starting today, change your prayers and your faith; “God, though my circumstances haven’t changed yet, I will take action. I will carry the Ark of the Covenant and step into the water.” Yes, Carry the Ark of the Covenant of God’s Word, prayer, thanksgiving, obedience, and dedication. Step forward into the Jordan River with faith, and the obstacle will leave. As the priests set the example by carrying the Ark and stepping into the water, so must the church leaders set an example. If the leaders change and set the right example, I believe the entire church will grow in maturity. Church leaders must first carry the “Ark of Covenant for church construction.” Don’t say, “I can’t because it costs too much.” If you lack money, then fill the gap with prayer. Without offerings or prayer, how can the Jordan River part? Therefore, on this Thanksgiving Sunday, may we give genuine thanks to God, who desires to train our faith and secure our future through it.
3. Just as the priests took 12 stones from the riverbed of the Jordan after crossing it and brought them into Canaan, we must give thanks that we can take the twelve foundation stones of New Jerusalem, form jewel-like hearts, and enter the New Jerusalem.
Just as the priests carried 12 stones from the Jordan River's bed on their shoulders and brought them into Canaan to be stored in the Tabernacle, when we cross the Jordan River of life, we must transform our hearts into the twelve gemstones representing the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem. The priests brought the stones from the riverbed of suffering. Joshua 4:3 says, “and command them, saying, ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet are standing firm, and carry them over with you and lay them down in the lodging place where you will lodge tonight.’ ” The 12 stones symbolize the 12 foundation stones of the New Jerusalem.
We must give thanks to God, who allows us to understand the spiritual significance of these foundation stones and transform our hearts into the likeness of these 12 gemstones, thereby granting us the privilege of entering the New Jerusalem. Spiritually, crossing the Jordan River represents Christians crossing the river of death to enter the heavenly Kingdom, just as the Israelites crossed the Jordan into the promised land of Canaan. Revelation 21:19 describes the New Jerusalem, including its 12 foundation stones supporting its walls.
Revelation 21:19–20 says, “The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.” The 12 foundation stones of the New Jerusalem are made of 12 types of gemstones, symbolizing the hearts of those who will enter the New Jerusalem. Each gemstone has its unique spiritual significance. Those who enter the New Jerusalem are people who, during their time on earth, cultivated their hearts to reflect the qualities of these 12 gemstones.
Let us briefly explore the meaning of each gemstone and understand how, like the priests who took 12 stones from the Jordan River, we must cultivate the qualities symbolized by these gemstones to enter the New Jerusalem. The first foundation stone, jasper, symbolizes "spiritual faith," unwavering trust in God, and constant obedience to His will. The second, sapphire, represents "uprightness and integrity," the resolve to stand firm in truth without yielding to any worldly temptation or threat. The third, chalcedony, signifies "innocence and sacrificial love," reflecting a pure heart willing to sacrifice without seeking any reward. The fourth, emerald, symbolizes "righteousness and freshness," akin to the "fruit of the light" mentioned in Ephesians 5:9 - "all goodness, righteousness, and truth" combined in one heart.
The fifth, sardonyx, stands for "faithfulness," a heart devoted fully to fulfilling one's mission with all one's mind, will, and strength in the church, home, workplace, and every aspect of life. The sixth, sardius, represents a heart of "passion and zeal," filled with fervent love for advancing God's kingdom and righteousness. The seventh foundation stone, chrysolite, signifies "compassion," the ability to understand and forgive even those who seem impossible to love, through goodness and truth. The eighth, beryl, represents "endurance," not forced or burdensome patience but a state where the heart is so full of goodness that "endurance" comes naturally and effortlessly.
The ninth, topaz, symbolizes "goodness," a heart that seeks what is truly good in the eyes of God, unaffected by the changing moral standards of the world. The tenth, chrysoprase, signifies "self-control," the ability to maintain spiritual discipline and order, just as excessive indulgence in even good things can lead to harm. The eleventh, jacinth, represents "purity," a heart free of sin, without blemish, stain, or flaw. The twelfth, amethyst, signifies "gentleness," a heart that is soft and tender yet capable of embracing and accommodating everyone, much like a comforting refuge for others. Dear believers, we have briefly explored the spiritual significance of the 12 gemstones representing the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem.
As you reflect on these meanings, examine how much of these jewel-like qualities are present in your heart. In doing so, you can discern how close you are to entering the New Jerusalem. Just as the Israelites took 12 stones from the Jordan River's bed to enter Canaan, let us cultivate a faith adorned with the 12 foundation stones during our time on earth, so that we may enter the New Jerusalem. Therefore, we must give thanks to God, who enables us to cultivate such jewellike hearts that are fitting for the New Jerusalem. Conclusion The song “Way Maker” is said to be a very popular gospel song. Many of you are likely familiar with it. It was written by a Nigerian gospel singer-songwriter named Sinach. I came across this song only recently.
In October, there was a large-scale church event in Korea, and I heard a choir sing it through YouTube. That’s when I learned about it for the first time. The title of the song was Way Maker, and it touched my heart deeply. The lyrics speak about God being present here, as the One who makes a way, performs great miracles, and creates new paths, declaring, “He is my God.” As I learned more about this song, I understood why it became so popular in Korea. When Sinach composed this song, she was reportedly moved by the Holy Spirit to have Korea in her heart while writing it. Of all the countries in the world, it is even more meaningful that Korea was specifically on her heart when this song was created. Indeed, God is the One who makes a way. When Moses and the Israelites were trapped before the Red Sea with no way out, God made a path through the sea.
When they faced the overflowing Jordan River, God parted the waters and stopped them, allowing His people to overcome the obstacle. Today, on this Thanksgiving Sunday, I spoke about offering true gratitude even before the overflowing Jordan River, the obstacles that often appear in our lives. How can we give thanks before obstacles, before the overflowing Jordan River? First, by finding the hidden “reasons for gratitude” within the waters of the overflowing Jordan River. This allows us to live lives filled with joy, awe, and vitality. Second, by giving thanks to God, who makes us cross the Jordan River during the rainy season, providing strong faith training to transform us into spiritual warriors and secure our future.
Third, just as God commanded the Israelites to take 12 stones from the riverbed after crossing the Jordan, we must understand the spiritual significance of the New Jerusalem’s twelve foundation stones and cultivate our hearts into jewel-like hearts. May you become people who can offer true gratitude before any obstacle in life, overcome those obstacles, cross the Jordan River, and receive the blessings of Canaan and New Jerusalem. In the name of the Lord, I pray you receive these blessings. - END -
