You're Still in the Picture

Normally I would focus on the wonderful promises of God's presence and blessing that we find here in the first chapter of Joshua. But this morning something else grabbed my attention.

Moses has died and upon Joshua now rests the mantle of leadership. The Israelites are about to begin a new chapter in their history. The land God has promised to them lies just on the other side of the river.

Not all the Israelites are planning to settle on the other side of Jordan. The tribes of Reuben, Gad and half of the tribe of Manasseh have made the choice of not crossing over with the rest of their people. This decision had been made, and approved, some time earlier. But when the deal was struck it was with the provision that when the time came for the rest of the nation to cross over and take the land, these two and a half tribes would also cross over to help their brothers in the fight that would surely take place.

Now, as they prepare to cross, Joshua reminds them if their promise: "Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you, 'The Lord your God is giving you rest and has granted you this land.' Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, fully armed, must cross over ahead of your brothers. You are to help your brothers until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving them. After that you may go back and occupy your own land…" (Joshua 1:13-15, NIV).

It is interesting that these men were to be the first to cross over and face the enemy. They were not encumbered with families and possessions so were freer to dedicate themselves to the task at hand. They were to stay and help their brothers until those brothers were as blessed with their new home as the two and a half tribes were now blessed.

I put myself in this picture. I am free from the responsibilities of family and a lot of possessions. The Lord has given me a lot of "land," things He has taught me, and is teaching me, and the experiences of more than fifty years of walking with Him. It is my privilege to help those who have spiritual "land" yet to conquer.

For all those who can put themselves in that same picture but haven't yet accepted the God-given command and privilege of being on the forefront of the battle to help their brothers and sisters in Christ conquer their "land," I issue the challenge of Luke 12:48b:

"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."

Are you up for it?

And in case there are fears attached to accepting the challenge, fall back on all those promises God gave Joshua: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (1:9, NIV).