“Joshua then commanded the officers of Israel, “Go through the camp and tell the people to get their provisions ready. In three days you will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Then Joshua called together the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. He told them, “Remember what Moses, the servant of the Lord, commanded you: ‘The Lord your God is giving you a place of rest. He has given you this land.’ Your wives, children, and livestock may remain here in the land Moses assigned to you on the east side of the Jordan River. But your strong warriors, fully armed, must lead the other tribes across the Jordan to help them conquer their territory. Stay with them until the Lord gives them rest, as he has given you rest, and until they, too, possess the land the Lord your God is giving them. Only then may you return and settle here on the east side of the Jordan River in the land that Moses, the servant of the Lord, assigned to you.” They answered Joshua, “We will do whatever you command us, and we will go wherever you send us. We will obey you just as we obeyed Moses. And may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. Anyone who rebels against your orders and does not obey your words and everything you command will be put to death. So be strong and courageous!””
Joshua 1:10-18 NLT
Joshua called the Israelites to make good on their promises to fight for the Lord. In faith they did. We must remember that it was a hard won faith. An entire generation of Israelites, with their bad attitudes and toxic behaviors, had to die first. This should be an example to us in ministry. It only takes a single generation to affect the change necessary to do God’s work. Yet the path of his work always remains steadfast. It is in lack of faith that the old generation died and it is in true faith that the new generation marches. As we take marching orders from on high, do we look to what was done before us? Do we look to how well we are equipped? Do we cower at the giants that lie in wait? No, in all situations, we look to God and we find our strength and victory in his sovereignty and character. It is this we march behind. It is this we place our hope on. And when we rally through troops for victory in this life, it is on this that our hope should be firmly planted.
JOSH McGARY. COM 