1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life.
Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.
7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."This is the passage inscribed in the Bible I received at my baptism. Obviously, the connection with 'Joshua' made it an obvious choice. But throughout my life it has gone deeper than that. It's a story of call that connects deeply to my own sense of call. In moments of inadequacy and self-doubt, this passage reminds me that God's call is constant, even when I am not.
Joshua receives this word from God after the death of Moses. Joshua stands anxious and afraid because he knows that he is not the leader Moses was. Moses led the people out of Egypt, Moses led the people through the wilderness, Moses had given the commandments, Moses had protected his people. Joshua knew Moses. And he knew he was no Moses.
As he stood on the verge of the Jordan river, about to enter the Promised Land, the one person who had held them together, that led them, that saved them - was gone.
How often is the task before us an impossible task? How often do we question our competency in the face of our work, our parenting, our marriage, any of our relationships? Let's not even concern ourselves with any 'world-changing'! If I am honest, when I look hard at the road I want to walk, I am filled with dread.
And this is where God's call comes. God's call is not a direction. Joshua knows where he has to go. God's call is not a new insight. Joshua has already heard the truth. God's call is a reaffirmation of his commitment to Joshua. It's almost comical how quickly Moses' death is dealt with. The passing of Moses is momentous to Joshua. But to God, Moses passing is part of his will, and no big deal. God doesn't need Moses. For that matter, he doesn't need Joshua. But he chooses Joshua. He affirms his support of Joshua. God will never leave nor forsake. Everything that was promised will be fulfilled.
Just be strong and courageous. Focus on God's word, not my inadequacy. Let's stop asking for guidance. We know (in almost every case) what we must do. Be a husband, a father, a wife, a mother, a friend, a faithful child, a hardworking employee, a gracious neighbor. What I lack is the courage to take the step.
But perhaps, like me, the call to be strong and courageous feels overwhelming in itself. Faith in God feels too much. Then, let us note the pattern... God commits to Joshua - I will be with you. Then he gives the marching orders. This is pattern of God - give the promise first, and then the command. God's call is not dependent on our response. The call is constant, even when our response is not.
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