The Beacon
January, 2021
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35)
You may have had to endure a lot in 2020. The year may go down as one of the toughest for you in all of your life. How do you approach what is up ahead? Are you hopeful? Are you fearful? Are you well-positioned to meet whatever comes your way?
It seemed as though Joshua may have been there – in a good position. You know how God’s people were headed to the Promised Land. Moses had led them up to their destination, but he was not going to bring them in! “After the death of Moses, the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ‘Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them – to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.’” (Joshua 1:1-3)
Was Joshua ready to lead? Listen to what else the LORD “equipped” Joshua with. “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous.” (Joshua 1:5b-7a). He continued with, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9b)
Rehab dealt with the “spies” and eventually Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan River. Verse 17 of Joshua chapter 3 describes quite a picture with, “The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.”
Maybe you know that once they were in the land, the Israelites were to conquer the land! Word got out as to how God was leading His people. Many opposing kings feared what might happen to them. In Joshua chapter 5 we read in verse 1 about these local kings: “Their hearts melted and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.
Jericho was in the path of “Israelite destruction,” but something interesting happened before Jericho fell. “Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, ‘Are you for us or for our enemies?’ ‘Neither,’ he replied, ‘but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.’” (Joshua 5:13-14a). What would you have done? Listen to what Joshua did: “Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, ‘What message does my Lord have for his servant?’” (Joshua 5:14b)
What do you think of being in a position like that? We are “well-positioned” when we are on our knees asking for direction from God. That is a good place to start, continue in, and finish the coming year.