The "Yets" of Life

A Devotional Journey Through Joshua 3:15-17

“Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from up the stream stopped flowing...”

— Joshua 3:15-16a

The Climax in the Details

I have a bit of a dual personality when it comes to stories. On one hand, I can be impatient. My mind works fast, and because I can usually anticipate the conclusion before a story ends, I find myself looking for a shortcut. On the other hand, when I am learning or teaching something, I want all the details. I struggle when things are cut short because I feel like every single piece of information carries immense value.

Reading Joshua chapter 3, I felt like the author experienced that exact same tension. He felt the need to pause the fast flow of the historical narrative and insert an addendum—a detail that, at first glance, seems like a parenthetical note, but turns out to be the absolute climax of the story.

In verse 15, he suddenly breaks the rhythm: “Now the Jordan...”

It’s as if the author is shouting: “Stop! Pay attention! If you were distracted, or if you were starting to skim, this is the best part.” He is screaming for us to look at the reality of the situation. This was not some ordinary day. It was harvest season, which meant it was flood season.

The Turbulence of Reality

You might look at the narrative and think, “Ah, it’s just a river, they just walked across some water.”

Nope. Think about what water represents in Scripture. The flood in Noah’s day wiped out the earth. It is incredible how quickly water can strip away our control. The Jordan River at flood stage wasn't a placid lake; it looked more like raging white water ready for a dangerous rafting expedition. These were turbulent, roaring waters.

In turbulent currents, you don’t have to go very deep to lose control. In fact, safety guidelines for swift water rescue note that there isn't a single “safe” limit for white water; ankle-deep water with a moderate current is already strong enough to destabilize a person and sweep them away.

The Jordan was notorious for overflowing its banks during harvest. Attempting to cross it was humanly impossible—and incredibly dangerous.

Introducing the Contrast

But look at what comes next. The author pauses again to introduce a massive contradiction to the danger. He writes:

“YET...”

Yet as soon as their feet touched the water's edge, God acted. Turbulent waters have no power to push us when God moves. Centuries later, Jesus would speak to the crashing waves of Galilee, and they would obey Him. The same God who paused the Jordan is the God who introduces a divine “YET” over our circumstances today.

God frequently invites us to look at our raw, difficult realities and introduce a “YET” right over the top of them:

“I remember my affliction and my wandering... YET this I call to mind and therefore I have hope.”

— Lamentations 3:19-21

“My flesh and my heart may fail, BUT [YET] God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

— Psalm 73:26

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines... YET I will rejoice in the Lord.”

— Habakkuk 3:17-18

“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?... BUT [YET] I have trusted in your steadfast love.”

— Psalm 13:1, 5

God never asks us to ignore reality, to practice toxic positivity, or to pretend that nothing is wrong or painful. The floodwaters are real. The danger is real. But He invites us to look at the current circumstances and consider Who He Is.

Radical Completeness

The story concludes with a final, beautiful detail. The priests carrying the Ark didn't just dip their toes in and rush across; they stood firm in the middle of the riverbed until the entire nation had finished crossing.

And the author repeats a specific phrase twice for emphasis: DRY GROUND.

The miracle wasn't incomplete. God's “YET” didn't just stop the rushing water and leave the Israelites to trudge through knee-deep, slippery mud. He dried the path perfectly. The breakthrough was total, stable, and secure.

Reflection

What is the “Jordan at flood stage” in your life today? What is the reality that feels turbulent and out of control?

God isn't asking you to pretend the river isn't flooding. He is inviting you to anchor your feet in His presence and speak His promise over the noise of the water.

“My mind wants to rush ahead to the safety of the shore, YET God is inviting me to stand firm in the middle of the riverbed and watch Him work in the details.”

Besides, as you stand in the middle of that river, your stance is not only benefiting you, but a whole community of believers. The priests stood firm until the entire nation had safely crossed. There is immense, far-reaching value in our obedience through faith.

What is your YET today?