Links for today’s readings:
Read: Joshua 12-13 Listen: (8:18) Read: Ephesians 4 Listen: (3:58)
Scripture Focus: Joshua 13.1
1 When Joshua had grown old, the Lord said to him, “You are now very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.
Reflection: Set Up For Success
By John Tillman
Nearing the end of his life, Joshua recognized the next generation would have to complete what he started. He would not live long enough to finish what he set out to do.
From one perspective this may seem a human failure or tragedy. But from another perspective it is natural—even good.
Joshua’s mentor, Moses, fell short. Moses could not lead the people into the land and he himself only glimpsed it from a distance. (Deuteronomy 3.27) Joshua took up the mantle to complete Moses’ dream for Israel.
Joshua fell short. He could not take all of the territory and remove all of the sinful idolatry. The people would have to complete the work themselves. The tribes’ leaders would work together to take the remaining land. Then, when future troubles arose, God would raise up leaders to save the people.
As your mentors, teachers, and role models come to the end of careers or their lives, they will fall short. There will be failed projects and dreams that never came to completion. Perhaps you, if God calls you, will take up their mantle to continue the work.
Previous generations always leave behind undone work, unfinished tasks, and unattainted goals. No generation closes their book with every box ticked “complete.” When we pick up the mantle of those who have gone before us, there will always be messes to clean up and unfinished business.
Like Joshua, when we reach the end of our sojourn, we will also fall short. Our hopes for this world’s work must be passed on to those who follow us. Rather than being a tragedy, this may be how God intends his work to pass from generation to generation.
Jesus left work behind for his disciples. He left people to heal, sermons to preach, Centurions to baptize, and dying girls to bring back to life. (Acts 2.14-17; 3.6; 9.39-42; 10.47-48) He left Jerusalem, Samaria, and the rest of the world to be evangelized—a task still passed down to us. (Matthew 28.19-20; Act 1.8)
Jesus left his followers plenty to do and yet, he was able to say, “It is finished” because he completed his Father’s work. (John 17.4) He also empowered his followers with the Holy Spirit to complete their work.
Have you thought about what you are leaving undone that you pray the next generation can finish? How are you preparing them to take over? Are your actions today setting them up for success in the future?
Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
You are the Lord; do not withhold your compassion from me; let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever. — Psalm 40.12
– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summer
by Phyllis Tickle
Read more: Time to Go
Are we viewing the younger generations…as future leaders? Are we humble enough to step down when God calls us?
Read more: Glimpsing the Promise
Yet, all is not lost…God will be faithful to his purposes for the next generation. God’s grace to us is being able to glimpse it.