Deuteronomy 31:1-8
1 Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel: 2 “I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.’ 3 The LORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the LORD said. 4 And the LORD will do to them what he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, whom he destroyed along with their land. 5 The LORD will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Reflection:
When a great football coach retires, one almost feels bad for the new incoming coach. He has an incredible legacy and expectation to fulfill. His longevity with a team is measured in how quickly he can succeed. Moses was a remarkable leader. He was Israel’s greatest head coach. How was Joshua to lead in the same manner- in the same power, love, and faithfulness? Moses summons Joshua to receive his calling and to tell him that it isn’t Joshua who will do all these things but the Lord God is going to do it. It’s not the man that makes the calling, but rather the calling that makes the man. Joshua doesn’t need to worry about measuring up. He can lead with strength and courage because God promises to be with Joshua and not to forsake him.
Response:
We also have a great calling and commission - to go and make disciples of all nations. How can we go to all the nations? Because in the second part of the commission, Jesus says that He will be with us – the same enduring promise that Joshua received. It’s not who we are that makes the calling. The calling makes us as we surrender, change, grow- we live out the calling. Let’s pray for God to have His way with us that God will help us grow and change to live out His great calling. Let’s also pray that each step our answer will be, “Yes, Lord!”
