Joshua 13 - 12.10.21

Scripture

Joshua 13:1

When Joshua had grown old, the Lord said to him, “You are now very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over…”

Observation

Joshua had led an incredible life thus far. He was Moses’ right hand man and went on to be God’s chosen man to lead Israel into the Promised Land. One king after the next, one city after the next, God delivered the Promised Land into Joshua’s hand. The previous chapter lists 31 kings who fell before him!

After decades of incredible adventure with God, God still had more in store for Joshua.

Understanding – What does it mean?

If there’s breath in your lungs, God isn’t done with you.

Until Jesus comes back, there is still kingdom work to be done. Someone needs to hear that you may consider yourself old, but there is no such thing as retirement in the kingdom! There are still very large areas of land God wants to give you. Even if, like Joshua, you’re “very old,” the adventure isn’t over.

Regardless of your age, God is inviting you to experience more.

In our spiritual journey it’s like we begin climbing a mountain with Jesus. As we climb, we grow in intimacy with him and witness him do great things in us and through us. And after a while we stop and look down and we’re amazed at how far we’ve come. We’re no longer the baby Christian at the bottom. It’s encouraging and awe-inspiring as we reflect on our journey. And our tendency is to set up our lawn chair and look down the mountain at how far God has brought us and reminisce our God stories.

All the while, what is Jesus doing? I would argue that he isn’t in a lawn chair beside us. I believe Jesus is standing right behind us calling us to stand up and he’s beckoning us up the mountain. There’s still a summit up there and so much more he wants to show us along the way!

Life Application

God, I’m just so grateful that with you there’s always more! I’m so grateful for all you’ve done but I never want to become complacent and camp out short of the summit. I ask that you would help me, and anyone reading this, to respond to your invitation to keep climbing with you. Old or young, may you fill us with a spiritual passion and hunger to pursue you and be used by you like never before. Deeper intimacy with you. God encounters. Leading lost people to you. Teaching people to follow you. We say yes to all you have for us! Amen.