When Joshua comes to the end of his life, he gives a parting speech to the leaders of the people. His speech is filled with wisdom and we would do well to take time to reflect on what he says. His main concern for his people is that they complete the conquest. This will become a major issue from this point on in the story of Israel. It would take hundreds of years before a leader would come who had the strength and courage of faith to fulfil this mandate of Joshua. This would be David. David was significant precisely because he was the one who completed what Joshua began. The gap between Joshua and David is, as we shall see, filled with unnecessary hardships and suffering because of the failure of the people to heed the words of Joshua here. It is easy to do nothing. God calls us to step out and live courageously. He calls us to step out by faith in order to engage in his mission of love and healing for the world. It is easy to put all this in the ‘too-hard-basket’; to put it off and just let time slip by. If your life lacks the momentum of positive obedience, it is so easy to get ensnared by the cares of this life and lured into spiritual deadness. This is what happened to the Israelites from this time on. May it never be the case with you. Are you putting things off that you know you should do? Don’t wait any longer. Be strong and courageous and take that step.
What is it that you need to do to engage with God’s mission? Take the first step today.
Read Joshua 23
