Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,
Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
Joshua 1:1-2
We often hear about Moses’ bravery, obedience, failures, and even consequences for disobeying the Lord. We preach of his heroism, yet he led the children of Israel on a journey wandering around the wilderness for 40 years. Deuteronomy 2:1-3 says they compassed a mountain long enough, referred to in scripture as “many days.” Despite his failings, Moses is to be applauded for his tenacity, strength, and valor in leading the children of Israel out of Egypt.
After the death of Moses, the children of Israel mourned Moses 30 days (Deuteronomy 34:8). Joshua 1 shows us the truth of life in this realm. God told Joshua to arise and go over the Jordan. New beginnings await. It is here that Israel reinstitutes circumcision and takes on Jericho. All the hearts of the kings west of the Jordan were melted with fear because they heard what God had done for Israel.
You may not be leading a people, but what you face on its own level is just as serious. The person in front of you, leading whatever it is you are involved in, has passed, retired, left, been terminated, and you find out you have been handed the ball, helm, control, or keys to the doors ahead … what do you do?
Arise, cross over the Jordan, don’t wander in fear. Don’t doubt the gift that the leader in front of you invested in you. Victory is in moving forward. Your promise awaits you. It will not be without its battles, heartaches, faults, and even failures. However, when you get there, the journey will be worth not quitting.
Our prayer for you this week: May you come to realize victory is never in quitting, but in arising and going forward.