our role, his glory

Joshua 13

"When Joshua had reached a venerable age, God said to him, 'You've had a good, long life, but there is a lot of land still to be taken." 13:1

Joshua was somewhere between the ages of 85 and 100 at this point, yet the Lord was still using him to do work for the kingdom. He had a life that equipped him with wisdom and experience to continue serving God. As a believer, we are never allowed to "retire" from serving the Lord, and age does not disqualify us from being an effective leader and servant. I pray that if I live to be 85 or 100, God will still be using me to bring lost people to Him. I hope my last day serving Him on earth is spent being exhausted from loving other people for His glory and that He will say to me "you have had a good life."

"I myself will drive them out before the People of Israel. All you have to do is allot this land to Israel as an inheritance, as I have, instructed you. Do it now. Allot this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh." 13:6-7

Joshua knew his time was coming to an end on earth, but he was not going to stop fighting for the entire Promised Land. The beauty of what God said to him is: I will do the hard work, you just get to play a part in it. There was much more land yet to be conquered, but God planned ahead (doesn't He always) to include the division of each tribe within it. God's desire was that the whole land would be conquered for Him. He knows the future, and already knows the victories that are ahead of us. Yet, they still had to fight for them. He goes ahead of us and does all the work, we just get to be part of the victory.

I read this and it has rested deeply in my heart:

What are your unconquered lands? They may be overseas missionary territories, new languages in which to translate the Bible, new missionary areas in your neighborhood, groups that need redemptive work, unchallenged ethical issues, unconfessed sin in your life, or underdeveloped talents and resources. What territory has God give you to conquer? Our inheritance will be a new heaven and earth, if we fulfill the mission God has given us to do.

Something we say downtown is, "We don't have to, we GET to." God doesn't force us to do anything, He lets us choose, and when we choose to fight with Him, it is the biggest honor we could ever receive.

This is one of the beautiful young ladies I GET to walk through life with. We had a birthday dinner for her Friday night to celebrate her turning 14. It is a joy and honor to be a part of she and her families life. And we don't call her "Precious" for no reason!