“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
Yesterday, we talked about legacy. I specifically asked the question, “What will your life say when your time on earth is done?” There is an Old Testament character named Joshua who is a great example of this question.
Joshua was a man that lived by faith and walked by faith. And because he did, we are still talking about him today. Joshua wasn’t thinking about his legacy when he was living it. But he was committed to fulfilling his destiny. What you will see when you study Joshua is that he accomplished this because he walked by faith, and he was obedient to the Lord.
Joshua 1:1-3 tells us of the destiny God had for Joshua after Moses’ passing: “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.”
Now, just because God created this destiny for Joshua, it did not mean he would come to realize it. Joshua had to continue to walk in faith and obey the Lord. We talked earlier this month about running away from God. When things become difficult, and we are pushed outside our comfort zone, it can be tempting to turn away.
In today’s key passage of Scripture, Joshua’s leader dies. Joshua, with all this new responsibility, could have run from God. He could have raised the question, “Why me, God?” He could have told the Lord, “I didn’t ask for this!”
But he didn’t. Joshua walked by faith. He obeyed God no matter what. The reason we are still talking about Joshua to this day is because of his faith and obedience. It may sound cliche, but it was these two things that made Joshua’s legacy one that believers will know until the end of time!