Wisely, Joshua didn’t try to fill Moses’ sandals. He was his own man and cultivated his own relationship with God, and he indeed led the Israelites with strength and courage. Sure, he had setbacks. Sure, he didn’t get everything right. But, he made a choice to listen to God’s repeated instructions. As a result, he accomplished God’s goal for his life. He was far from average and received the same one line affirmation Moses did at the end of his life.
It came about after these things that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being one hundred and ten years old.
Joshua 24:29-31
And they buried him in the territory of his inheritance in Timnath-serah,
which is in the hill country of Ephraim, on the north of Mount Gaash.
Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, and had known all the deeds of the LORD which He had done for Israel.
It would be easy for us to ignore this triple instruction from God to Joshua as not being applicable to us. We will not be going to war anytime soon or marching around fortified cities for seven days. In fact, some days the biggest decision we will make is whether to eat at Wendy’s or pack a lunch. However, we know that just when we seem to have it all together, life hits. We are reminded we are smack in the middle of a fierce spiritual battle and are instructed to take on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11). Sometimes just doing everyday life takes a triple dose of “strong and courageous,” especially when it comes to this whole love one another thing!
Just as it seems odd that God would instruct a warrior to be strong and courageous, doesn’t it seem odd that Jesus would have to tell His closet followers to love one another? I mean they roamed around Judea for three years together and witnessed countless miracles. They walked and talked with Love Himself! Surely they knew how to love. It was woven into their very being. Love was something they were comfortable with. It was natural. Wasn’t it?
Maybe you have learned first-hand, as I have: it is often hard to love some of the one anothers in our lives. Even those we love dearly can drive us to our knees seeking courage and strength for one more day. Surely many a Christian parent’s knees are bruised over their strong-willed or wayward child. I know I am safe in saying that others have probably been on their knees in dealing with me.
I hold no claim in being an easy one another to live with.
My friend, if loving one another came naturally and was easy, God wouldn’t waste His eternal ink on the subject. On the contrary, loving—truly loving as Christ loves—demands more strength and courage than a legion of soldiers on the most brutal battle field. We can’t even come close to God’s standard of love yet we’re commanded to love throughout the Bible. It is as overwhelming as a land filled with giants and fortified cities.
But Praise His Name, God never leaves His children to their own devices when He gives a command. Just as He guided Joshua in very specific and practical ways, He shows us, through His Son, how to love one another.
Discussion
Our second application is to double or even triple bless just one one another this week. Try to make the blessings something unexpected and out of the ordinary. If you don’t know where to start, begin within your home of one anothers. Those disciples of Jesus who live with you are always a good choice to bestow blessings upon. It doesn’t have to be anything monetary; in fact, I would encourage blessings of the non-monetary nature. Be creativity, be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and I am confident you will be double blessed or even triple blessed as well!
One Another Living 