Courage to keep going

We Christians are miserable indeed if we grow old in making no improvement.

John Calvin (French Reformer)

Joshua 13:1-7

Culturally we fight aging - Birthday this week - Turning 32 - im getting old according to the youth.

Getting old is looked down upon, or something to be ashamed of as if we could help it.

We live in a world of anti-aging, hair dye, and health/wellness trends to keep us younger.

While aging poorly can be dangerous, getting older doesnt mean we get to neglect our faith.

Joshua 13:1–7 “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. “This is the land that remains: all the regions of the Philistines and Geshurites, from the Shihor River on the east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north, all of it counted as Canaanite though held by the five Philistine rulers in Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath and Ekron; the territory of the Avvites on the south; all the land of the Canaanites, from Arah of the Sidonians as far as Aphek and the border of the Amorites; the area of Byblos; and all Lebanon to the east, from Baal Gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo Hamath. “As for all the inhabitants of the mountain regions from Lebanon to Misrephoth Maim, that is, all the Sidonians, I myself will drive them out before the Israelites. Be sure to allocate this land to Israel for an inheritance, as I have instructed you, and divide it as an inheritance among the nine tribes and half of the tribe of Manasseh.””

Encouragement to the older generation to continue preparing the way for the next gen. (v 1)

Humorous - Does anyone in here FEEL old?

I imagine life now a days can feel like we are aging by the second or minute.

Between packing in our schedule with different work or life related events.

Kids/Grandkids activities to keep up with.

It all just runs together and we look up and all of a sudden the day has passed.

Joshua has seen some stuff…think of all his life…

and yet, he wasn't done - “still very large areas of land to be taken over.”

do you feel there is still so much to do?

Are you still tired?

Still alot of work for Israel - They had conquered enough to START, but the battle would wage on well after Joshua was gone.

We look ahead to the times of the Judges, Saul, David (still problems with the phillistines).

But what we see here is a Job change (season change) for Joshua.

God changes your job depending on HIS greater need. (Military leader to Admin) - Examples

Chick Pres. -> BBB Leader -> R1

Land Allotment - Requires peoples trust and respect

Joshua still had to continue being the leader that Israel needed.

It’s not Joshua’s time to rest and have Israelites serve them. No retirement in Christianity.

Serving God is bigger than yourself - Its up to you to mentor and lead the next generation.

Joshua is old (Around 100), and has done ALOT, but there is still more to be done -

In God’s eyes, there is always another life, another soul, another heart in need of grace and mercy.

- Abraham - Genesis 24:1 “Abraham was now very old, and the Lord had blessed him in every way.”

100 Issac born, 175 died

2. Encouragement to the younger generation to listen to the wisdom, and guidance of mentors in their life. (v. 1 implied)

Recognize the benefits you have because of what the older generations has done

Imitate them

Get off your phone and sit, listen to their stories

3. God commands Joshua to start allocating land, even though there is still more to be conquered

- Expect God to continue working, even though he has blessed us with work to do. (6-7)

There was still land yet to be claimed - Encouragement to find your “unclaimed land” to work in -

This may be a person God places on your heart, a mission trip you need to go on, beginning to serve somewhere in the church, etc.

God’s power ultimately goes ahead of us, he is in control.

He does however want us to do the work too.

New building - God prepared ahead of time, but you still had to work

Now that building will last and serve our community for generations to come

CLOSE

Whatever season your in…God is working…What he asks of you is to be strong or courageous in continuing to serve.