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The book of Joshua is a book of conquest. It records the nation of Israel’s conquest of the promised land. Through these records, we see how God gives the victory in the midst of the battles we face (Joshua 6). We also see how failure can occur in the lives of God’s people(Joshua 7). This land was promised to Abraham in Genesis chapters 12 and 13. And while the land was given to these people by God, it also had to be taken (Joshua 1:11).

There were battles to be fought. There were victories to be won. The people of the land were to be utterly destroyed (Deuteronomy 7:2-3). How could the nation of Israel take on such an enormous task? We see that the Lord would be the difference-maker in the lives of these people. In the very first chapter, God encourages Joshua and the people over and over again with the words, “Be strong and of a good courage…” (Joshua 1:6,7, 9). I am reminded of the similar words we find from the Lord through the penman Paul the apostle in Ephesians 6,“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10)

His Strength and His Way

One of the greatest lessons we must learn is that living the life that pleases God is impossible without His strength and doing it His way. This was discovered by the nation of Israel and recorded for us in the book of Joshua. But when we come to the twelfth chapter, we read these words:

“Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed. This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,…” (Joshua 13:1-2)

There Was More To Do

As we read these words we realize we are not entering into a physical land like the nation of Israel; however, we are in the midst of spiritual conflict (2 Corinthians 10:3). In fact, the Lord Jesus Christ declares that His church is pressing forward into enemy territory against the gates of hell (Matthew 16:18). Everyone who has been born again is a Soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:2; Ephesians 6:10-ff). But did you notice in this passage that the issue is not whether Joshua was willing to fight; the issue is that Joshua’s time in His journey was coming to an end.

Time To Live

Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:2 that there is, “A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;” Can I say to you that one of the greatest commodities that God has given to us is time? You and I only have so much time to live for the Lord Jesus Christ and fight the good fight of faith this side of eternity.  And further, every one of us, if the Lord tarries, will be faced with a similar statement—that we are old and stricken in years. And when that time comes, we must realize as well—that the Lord’s work must continue. There is still much territory to be conquered for the Lord Jesus Christ!  The commission that is given to us in Acts 1:8 tells us that we are to go to the ends of the earth. The question that challenges my heart is this: Who is coming behind us to continue the work of the Lord? Are they equipped? Are they ready? Similarly, what am I doing to prepare the next generation to follow Christ? Am I making the most of the time God has given me? I pray it is that as we all look in the mirror of God’s Word, we will answer these sobering questions!