ow after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spoke unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. Joshua 1: 1-3 (Kjv)

Moses was God's chosen vessel, a great leader of his own people ordained by God to liberate the children of 1sreal from the Egyptian bondage and to lead them to the Promised Land. He carried their hopes, expectations and aspirations as they journeyed from Egypt through the wilderness. When they needed any thing, and cried out to him, he cried out to God, who supplied all their needs. So to the children of Israel, the Moses they saw everyday was everything, even though they still disobeyed and opposed him.

To cut the long story short, this same Moses one day died at Mt. Nebo and was buried in a valley in the Land of Moab. His tragic death ushered in a period of obscurity, hopelessness and confusion in the midst of God's people. To them, chances of still making it to the Promised Land were very slim seeing that Moses the servant of God and their great leader was dead.

They gathered at the plains of Moab to mourn him and for thirty days according to Jewish tradition, tears desperately cascaded down their eyes. However when the days of weeping and mourning ended, God spoke to Joshua the son of Nun Moses assistant saying;
Moses, my servant is dead. Now therefore arise and go over this Jordan, you and this entire people to the land which I am giving them the children of 1sreal every place that the sole of your feet will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.

For the children of Israel to continue their journey to the Promised Land, God made it clear to Joshua that Moses his servant and his great leader was already dead and that there was nothing he could do about it than to face the challenge of going forward with the children of Israel.
Moses may represent that your first plan that failed, he might represent that first business, and career, relationship and attempt that failed to materialize. Moses might even represent that first chapter of your life that closed with disappointment, unfulfilled dreams and unsatisfied desires, but listen to me friends, God will open a new chapter for you only if you are willing to arise and go over to it. To decide to settle down and continue to mourn the death of your Moses (the first chapter and order of your life) is to continue to hamper the movement of your divine clock and to continue to deny your self of that portion in Canaan that flows with your milk and honey.

Weeping, the bible says in Ps. 30:5 may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning; but to see your new morning and the dawn of your new day right before you and still continue to weep and mourn is a spiritual and psychological tragedy.

No matter how painful and traumatic the experience, you have to realize that it was necessary for Moses to die so that Joshua would take over the leadership. The bible says for we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose" Rm. 8:28
Moses, the old order, the failed plan and disappointment in your life is dead and gone but Joshua (Jesus) the new order, the hope of glory, our spiritual advocate, Redeemer, Lord, Savior and coming king is not dead. He is alive forever and has led us into the Promised Land, which is the kingdom of God. Stop looking unto Moses; he is dead and gone start looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Heb12:2.

However, Moses and Joshua are both important parts of your deliverance plan from God; after Moses, comes Joshua. You can not be promoted to grade two unless you have passed through grade one.

Once again I declare to you that at the end of the first chapter in your life, God will open another for you and if you are willing to arise and go over to that next level, God will surely see you through in the mighty name of Jesus Christ!
We have to face life's difficulties and tragedies with a positive attitude if we must get over them. Until we stop complaining of today's scarcity, we may not enjoy the abundance of tomorrow. None-problem solving attitude is barrier to achieving a purpose in life.

Now THEREFORE ARISE AND GO OVER THIS JORDAN
The Jordan God was talking about was the very one before their eyes, they were weeping at the bank of it. The problems and challenges God is telling you to rise up and over come are the ones facing you right now. The fact that you are seeing them right now has already given you advantage over them, so arise and go over them.
Your Jordan might intimidate you if you look at their faces and sizes. It would require faith and confidence in the word of He who has commanded you to rise and go over your Jordan.

If you know the seasonal history of River-Jordan, you would understand that at this season of the year, it would be too trying and tempting to Joshua to be commanded to rise and go over it. Joshua 3:15 confirmed that this was the time of harvest when Jordan over-flows its bank; and I am not sure there were crossing boats and rescue operators standing by.

Another potential danger and risk surrounding Jordan when its bank was over-flown was that all the wild animals in its thickets were displaced and posed a grave risk and danger to life. Yet, in spite of all these threats, Joshua believed that the God who had given him His word and commanded him to arise and go over Jordan with all Israel would make a way where there seamed to be no way.
Shout Halleluiah somebody!

He believed, he arose and God made a way for them. If he made a way for them, he would also have made a way for you. I say He will make a way for you. Somebody, rise up and begin to cross over for God is with you. River Jordan will not swallow you up. You are bound for your Promised Land and nothing can stop you in the miraculous name of Jesus Christ. Amen!