"When we read the Bible devotionally, we focus on the spiritual essentials, not the historical or geographical accidentals. God has often encouraged me from the first chapter of Joshua, but that doesn't mean that I can walk into the Jordan River and expect it to open up before me.However I have seen Him "open up" difficult situations in ministry as I have trusted him. The Word of God is given to warn us and to offer hope to us. It can only do these things for us only if we receive the Word personally and let it work in our lives. " W. Wiersbe