How would you feel if you were a young quarterback stepping into the shoes of a Hall of Famer, or a young preacher stepping into the pulpit of a pastor who had held it for 35 years?
This had to be something like what Joshua was feeling when Moses left to climb Mt. Nebo, and did not return.
“Now it’s on me! Lord, help!”
And help He did.
- God’s pep talk. Look at one of the most encouraging and powerful set of words ever spoken to a human being by God in Joshua 1:2-9. If you are starting something new in your life, read them as though the Lord were speaking to you!
- The people’s promise. How encouraging their support of Joshua must have been (Joshua 1:16-18).
- The successful spy mission. It’s always good to have your first venture turn out well. And had it not been for Rahab, it wouldn’t. Therefore, Rahab, by her faith, received a prominent place among the people of God.
- The miracle crossing. If there was anyone in doubt on the morning of the day the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, it was removed by the end of the day. When the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the river, it stopped! It piled up! As they stood in the middle with the Ark, the people crossed over on dry ground. “Here is Moses rightful successor,” they must have said. And just so they wouldn't forget, God instructed Joshua to set up a memorial made of 12 huge stones, one for each tribe!
- The important obedience. The generation that had been raised in the desert had not been circumcised, so Joshua stopped and circumcised them! Along with this, they kept the Passover!
- The miracle meeting. My favorite section of today’s reading is when Joshua, nearing Jericho, sees a “man” with a drawn sword. Recognizing him, I think, as angelic, he asks, “Are you for us or our enemies?” The chief angel’s answer is perfect. “No!” he says. “Neither,” he means. God had sent the commander of his angelic forces to certify Joshua’s humility and submission!
Until Monday,
Pastor Gary
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