Walking Through Joshua
In my devotions lately, I’ve been reading the Book of Joshua. It’s a fascinating book filled with God’s mercy in shaping and dealing with a servant-leader, as well an awesome display of the mighty power of the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and you and me.
We’ll begin with one of the most challenging responsibilities issued in the entire Word of God.
Joshua's unique responsibility
“Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, 'Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory.'” Joshua 1:1-4 (NASB).
We do not know the exact amount of time between Moses' death and the Lord’s commissioning of Joshua. But regardless of the time span, can you imagine what it would be like to follow Moses?
For over 40 years, Moses led the people of God. The whole dominant, majestic, powerful nation of Egypt was brought to bow before the Lord God, through the ministry of Moses and his brother Aaron and sister Miriam. And when the estimated two million Israelites left their four centuries of bondage, they went out victorious and well provided for.
Then during those forty years, these people of God, sometimes obedient, but also full of complaints and doubt, saw things that no other people on earth had ever witnessed. And now Joshua is to continue to lead them. What an awesome responsibility! Who would ever be sufficient for this task?
His call is not without a promise
But look how this chapter begins. It’s almost a kind of “bad news,” “good news” scenario.
“Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, 'Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.'”
Whenever I hear this kind of command in scripture, I picture the servant who is carry this commands, doing a “Rocky Balboa” - you know, a “you talking to me?” Yet God never makes a mistake with whom He calls. For whom He calls, He will also equip and go before.
Let’s also not forget that Joshua had one “terrific” mentor. Certainly to have spent perhaps at least 40 years with this man who spoke to God face to face was a continual example of “Class is in session.”
But God’s calling is also often accompanied by a specific promise, and listen to how it begins.
“'Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory.'”
Listen, dear child of God. We are talking literally thousands of acres of lands, miles of rivers, and majestic mountains, as well as hundreds of cities - all to be possessed wherever Joshua walks! Oh how great is our God, for nothing is too hard for Him. There is no place on earth that His presence cannot reach!
Therefore, offer Him your finest praise, your heartfelt devotion, and forever gratitude that you are His and He is yours.
Blessings and prayers,
Pastor Gene
We’ll begin with one of the most challenging responsibilities issued in the entire Word of God.
Joshua's unique responsibility
“Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, 'Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory.'” Joshua 1:1-4 (NASB).
We do not know the exact amount of time between Moses' death and the Lord’s commissioning of Joshua. But regardless of the time span, can you imagine what it would be like to follow Moses?
For over 40 years, Moses led the people of God. The whole dominant, majestic, powerful nation of Egypt was brought to bow before the Lord God, through the ministry of Moses and his brother Aaron and sister Miriam. And when the estimated two million Israelites left their four centuries of bondage, they went out victorious and well provided for.
Then during those forty years, these people of God, sometimes obedient, but also full of complaints and doubt, saw things that no other people on earth had ever witnessed. And now Joshua is to continue to lead them. What an awesome responsibility! Who would ever be sufficient for this task?
His call is not without a promise
But look how this chapter begins. It’s almost a kind of “bad news,” “good news” scenario.
“Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, 'Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.'”
Whenever I hear this kind of command in scripture, I picture the servant who is carry this commands, doing a “Rocky Balboa” - you know, a “you talking to me?” Yet God never makes a mistake with whom He calls. For whom He calls, He will also equip and go before.
Let’s also not forget that Joshua had one “terrific” mentor. Certainly to have spent perhaps at least 40 years with this man who spoke to God face to face was a continual example of “Class is in session.”
But God’s calling is also often accompanied by a specific promise, and listen to how it begins.
“'Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory.'”
Listen, dear child of God. We are talking literally thousands of acres of lands, miles of rivers, and majestic mountains, as well as hundreds of cities - all to be possessed wherever Joshua walks! Oh how great is our God, for nothing is too hard for Him. There is no place on earth that His presence cannot reach!
Therefore, offer Him your finest praise, your heartfelt devotion, and forever gratitude that you are His and He is yours.
Blessings and prayers,
Pastor Gene
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