Up The Creek

“Up the creek, without a paddle in the rainy season.”

A well known phrase; one that depicts frustration and dire circumstances rendering very little hope.

But did you know that up the creek is the place where miracles happen?

Believe it!

“So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.” (Joshua 3:14-17 ESV)

God told Joshua to lead the children of Israel across the Jordan river, during flood season. He let them know the river wouldn’t stop flowing until the priests set their feet into the water. But as soon as they did, the miracle up the creek happened.

12 miles up the creek.

Too far up the creek for them to see the water become a huge wall, as though it was held back by the hand of God.

Up the creek.

Up the creek is where God was, performing the miracle his children needed. They obeyed his word, following his command to step into the water. God had obligated himself to do the miraculous, for he said, “when your feet get wet, I’ll make the waters stand in a heap.”

Just how wet are your feet? Are you obeying the word of the Lord?

He provides the miracle when we obey his word.

He’s up the creek, when we need to cross a river. He’s on top of the walls, when we need them to crumble. He makes the sun stand still, when we’re prepared to enter into his warfare. He multiplies the oil, and the fish and bread, when we give him all we have.

When we fix our heart on him, he’s able to make all grace abound toward us, never leaving us or forsaking us. Though he’s not always easy to see, he’s always faithful.

And even when we feel like we’re up the creek, we’re never alone.

Remember, up the creek, with or without a paddle, is where miracles take place.