Step Up

We have all seen situations where an understudy or back up comes on to replace the previous first stringer.Maybe it’s happened with a TV show, with a quarterback, or even a president.It happens all the time, in every walk of life.

Imagine having to replace a man who once was a prince in line for a kingdom, educated and developed. Then that man was appointed by God to be the deliver of His people. That man talked with God, and walked with God while in His presence. He was there when God wrote down the Ten Commandments. He led battles, and God did countless miracles through him. He watched as God covered him with His hand. Now his time had come to set aside, right at the entrance to the promised land.

Yes, Joshua had a tough act to follow.He had millions of Israelites to lead into the promised land.He had battles to fight, and lands to conquer.He had to make huge decisions.But Joshua had great faith, possibly greater than Moses. He had been to the land of the giants and knew God would deliver it to them. He had been trained by Moses, and seen God work through him. God told him in the first chapter of Joshua repeatedly to “be strong and courageous”. God used that phrase three times within four verses. Then the Israelites echoed it back to Joshua in the last verse of the chapter. God was basically telling him, you are promoted, so be strong and courageous.There are battles to be fought, decisions to be made, but I am with you always. Joshua then crossed the Jordan and defeated Jericho. He dealt with Achan’s sin, made the sun stand still and defeated many armies. After conquering the promised land, he was responsible for distribution of the territories. He was strong and courageous, and walked and talked with God.

There is a great lesson here. God wants us to be strong and courageous as well. We have battles to fight and victories to claim. There may be walled cities or great struggles but He is at our side. We need to shoulder the responsibility of our ministry, whatever that ministry is( and we all have one). God will always be with us as we finish our race to what He has promised us. Be strong and courageous.