DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Big Shoes
By Beth Voltmann
The mantle of authority had been passed. Joshua, the devoted acolyte of Moses, was now in charge of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. Try to imagine yourself in his place. Would you dread the task or trust wholly on God to help you fulfill it?
After Moses died, God commissioned Joshua as his successor. He promised never to leave him or forsake him and encouraged him to be strong and courageous. (Joshua 1:5-6)
Wow. Who would want that job? Listening for God’s voice, guiding a multitude of persistent grumblers, defending the ark of the covenant, and all while overseeing the priests and the rules of the law. Yet, Joshua had witnessed the faithfulness of the “Lord of All the Earth” and so he willingly and humbly stepped forward.
The first time I read Joshua’s story in its entirety, I was amazed. Though he was leading a new generation into an unknown place, the mission remained the same and many of the moments would seem familiar.
Waiting on the Lord:
Moses - waited for 3 days at the base of Mt. Sinai until God appeared in cloud of thunder and lightning to give instructions
Joshua - camped for 3 days near the Jordan before the ark of the covenant would be carried into the river to lead them
Obstacles:
Moses – Faced the Red Sea with an enemy behind
Joshua – Faced the Jordan River at flood stage with an enemy ahead
Declaring God’s Faithfulness to the People:
Moses – “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today.” (Exodus 14:13)
Joshua – “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” (Joshua 3:5)
Joshua had learned leadership under Moses’ guidance. He recognized God’s voice and believed him to be faithful to his promises.
And the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel,
so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses.” (Joshua 3:7)
These were some big shoes to fill, but I doubt that Joshua was astounded when the Lord stopped up the flowing waters of the Jordan so that the Israelites could pass through into the Promised Land. He knew this story. He trusted this God.
PRAYER
Lord, may I learn to trust you like Joshua did. Are there empty shoes that you need me to fill? Help me to lay down my own hopes and fears and to step in with full faith.
“Here am I. Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BETH VOLTMANN
After moving to Ohio in 1997 with my husband and four children, I developed a hunger for God’s Word through adult teaching and women’s Bible study at UALC. My passion is to help others understand Scripture so that they may grow in their desire for more of God and experience the new life offered to us through Christ Jesus.
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