Read Joshua 23:1b – 5
Joshua, by then a very old man, summoned all Israel—their elders, leaders, judges and officials—and said to them: “I am very old. You yourselves have seen everything the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake; it was the Lord your God who fought for you. Remember how I have allotted as an inheritance for your tribes all the land of the nations that remain—the nations I conquered—between the Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea in the west. The Lord your God himself will push them out for your sake. He will drive them out before you, and you will take possession of their land, as the Lord your God promised you.
I have kept journals for each of my children since they were born. I have written about funny stories and sweet family memories. Some entries are short and to the point, and others are more thoughtful and have taken me longer to write because I wanted to be sure they understood my heart as I try to pass on some wisdom or truth to them. The older I get, the more important it is to me to share my personal experiences with a God who has been so kind and generous with my heart. I want to point out the places and times I saw and felt God’s faithfulness in my life that they might not have seen or remember, as a way to pass on the faith that sustains me. My prayer is that what I pass on to them will last long after I am gone and that they will see and choose to walk in that faith for themselves, too.
That is the sense I get from Joshua in today’s reading. God did some pretty amazing things during Joshua’s lifetime, and it was time to make sure the next generation sees the God who has loved them!
Here, we see Joshua begin to tell the story of what God has done for His people and what He has seen God do. I think he intentionally begins by reminding them that where they are now, in the land God promised, was not an accident – and it certainly wasn’t because of their great strength. No, it was the Lord their God who has fought for them… for their sake… as promised. Joshua starts with what matters most. God. He reminds them that at the heart of it all is a God who has done all these things FOR them, because of His promise to love them and for them to be His people. Joshua knew that in order for them to continue to move forward, they needed to be reminded of where they started.
God, I thank you for your provision in my life today. Every good thing I have is because of your great love for me. Sometimes I think pretty highly of myself, taking credit that is not due to me. Reframe my thinking and help me to see your hand in it all, so that I might give glory to you for my victories and my blessings. You are FOR me, just as you were the Israelites. Help me to walk humbly in the gifts and talents you have given me as you pave the way for me to see you move in mighty ways in my life. Amen.
