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Picking up the Mantle
Scripture Thought for the Week: And Moses the servant of the
Lord died there in
Moab, as the Lord had said. Now Joshua son of Nun was filled
with the spirit of
wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the
Israelites listened to himand did what the Lord had commanded
Moses. Deuteronomy 34: 5, 9
Seemingly in the blink of an eye Joshua was passed the mantle of
responsibility for the
entire nation of Israel. When Moses eyes closed in death, Joshua
was immediately thrust
into a leadership role for which he had been training for more
than forty years. All
previous lessons taught by Moses ceased, his voice no longer
audibly heard and reliance on
the guiding hand of God would carry Joshua forth to do the work
God had outlined
specifically for him.
The book of Joshua begins with assurances from the Lord as
Joshua begins this new role
as modeled by his predecessor, Moses. As the people of Israel go
forth to cross over the
Jordan River and enter the Promised Land of Canaan, Joshua was
reminded God was firmly
accompanying them every step of the way. As I was with Moses, so
I will be with you; I
will never leave you nor forsake you. And then God repeatedly
tells his new leader, Be
strong and courageous. These four words were so important for
Joshua to hear that God
repeated them throughout the first chapter of Joshua.
The task of filling the shoes of a mighty man or woman of faith
is daunting. The mantle
that must shift from experienced shoulders to one who has not
withstood the pressuresand faith building tasks that maturity
brings is overwhelming. Yet, God is faithful to equip
those inexperienced shoulders to broaden and strengthen as time
evolves. Be strong and
courageous the Lord repeats. Why?
1. Because God keeps His promises and He is faithful. As
scripture notes in verse6 of Chapter 1 of Joshua, Be strong and
courageous, because you will lead these
people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give
them.
2. It takes strength and courage to stand up under societal
pressure. Do not turnfrom it (the law) my servant Moses gave you,
that you may be successful whereveryou go. God will grant us
success as we follow His commands.
3. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth;
meditate on it day andnight, so that you may be careful to do
everything written in it.Then you will be
prosperous and successful. With strength and courage we will be
able to
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discern the Word of the Lord, the Book of the Law. Daily reading
will
encourage continual meditation which will lead to
prosperity.
4. It takes courage and strength not to be terrified and
discouragedand stay thecourse marked out by God. Remember that the
Lord your God will be with you
wherever you go.
When a predecessor no longer can be consulted, it is often a
trying time in the life of
those left behind to carry on. But with Gods help and the trust
and obedience to the
teachings we have been given beforehand, the job at hand can be
done and
accomplished as God designs.
May we be able to say as the nation of Israel commented to
Joshua, Whatever you
have commanded us will do and wherever you send us we will go.
Just as we fully
obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be
with you as he was
with Moses. Only be strong and courageous!
Father, thank you for those who have modeled before us faith in
the Lord Jesus
Christ. May we always be prepared to carry on in their absence
until we meet
again at heavens gate. Infuse us with strength and courage to
work until theday
the done. In Jesus name, Amen.
