When Joshua was an old man,
the LORD said to him,
"You are growing old, and
much land remains to be conquered. ...
I will drive these people out of
the land for the Israelites."
Joshua 13:1,6
I think it was important that Joshua was growing old. Why? So Israel would notice the frailties of the elderly man and would attribute their victories to God rather than any human.
When things go right, human beings always like to assume credit.
The ever-present temptation is to put ourselves on the throne. And if you doubt that, read the verses that lead into today's lesson: "These are the kings Israel defeated:
The king of JerichoThe king of Ai, near BethelThe king of JerusalemThe king of HebronThe king of JarmuthThe king of LachishThe king of EglonThe king of GezerThe king of DebirThe king of GederThe king of HormahThe king of AradThe king of LibnahThe king of AdullamThe king of MakkedahThe king of BethelThe king of TappuahThe king of HepherThe king of AphekThe king of LasharonThe king of MadonThe king of HazorThe king of Shimron-meronThe king of AcshaphThe king of TaanachThe king of MegiddoThe king of KedeshThe king of Jokneam in CarmelThe king of Goyim in GilgalThe king of Tirzah.In all, thirty-one kings andtheir cities were destroyed."Joshua 12:8-14
When we think of kings, we think of monarchs ruling over huge empires. These guys were mayors of mostly middling cities. But it just goes to show you that we like to ourselves on the throne.
In fact, read the first line of that quote and compare it to the truth from our verse for today: "These are the kings that who defeated"? We like to sit on the throne. We like to claim responsibility for successes. It was and is God who is victorious. And our strength comes from partnering with him.
In Christ's Love,
a weak man who knows how to be strong
(and the only thing I need to exercise is my faith)
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