Links for today’s readings:
Read: Joshua 23 Listen: (2:31) Read: Philippians 4 Listen: (3:20)
Scripture Focus: Joshua 23:1-2
1 After a long time had passed and the Lord had given Israel rest from all their enemies around them, Joshua, by then a very old man, 2 summoned all Israel—their elders, leaders, judges and officials—and said to them: “I am very old.”
Reflection: The Legacy of Growing Old
By Erin Newton
According to developmental psychology, after six or seven decades of living, a person’s priority often turns to “leaving a legacy.” The human mind begins to reflect on life, what has happened and what they want to be remembered for. Joshua seems no different.
At the end of his life, Joshua looked out across the land now inhabited by God’s people. He stopped to give them his final words: “You yourselves have seen everything the Lord your God has done… But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now” (Josh 23:3, 8).
The same sentiments we see echoed in Ecclesiastes: “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, … before the silver cord is severed, … and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to the God who gave it” (Eccl 12:1, 6-7).
Much like the aging teacher in Ecclesiastes, it is Joshua who feels the grip of old age closing tighter. He is the strong man who stoops. The almond tree blossoms as his hair fades to silvery gray. He echoes the same messages as the wise man did centuries later: Everything is meaningless apart from the memory of God’s faithfulness.
The legacy Joshua hopes to impart is one that memorializes the uniqueness of God. The people are commissioned to remember his faithfulness. Joshua has seen it over and over, in all his long years. They are to remember that it was God who did the work—not them, not another deity.
So much of the Old Testament is a call to remember. One of the greatest gifts of aging is the lengthy history one has with God. Those who grow in years have had more opportunities to see divine providence in action. And each year that passes is another step closer to hearing the answer to one’s prayers.
But our world is obsessed with anti-aging. Even if we can prevent wrinkles or color our graying hair, aging is an honorable gift to be received. Aging is the continued mercy from God. Aging gives us more opportunity to remember him.
It should not burden us to see another gray hair or watch our skin fold into new creases by our eyes. Like Joshua, we should fix our minds on what message we will leave for our community. Like Joshua, may our legacy be a testimony about the faithfulness of God.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
O God of hosts, show us the light of your countaenance, and we shall be saved. — Psalm 80.7
– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summer
by Phyllis Tickle
Read more: Minority Report Vindicated
The fearful majority of Caleb’s generation overwhelmingly forgot God, yet God remembered the faithful.
Read more: Josiahs Need Zephaniahs
The next generation needs us to model condemning our past sins, confessing them, and being free. Josiahs need Zephaniahs.