My wife and I make time to visit Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster, PA each year. If you have never been there, I highly encourage you to check it out. Every year, they perform a Broadway level show on one of the more well known Bible characters and their Biblical story. They even have live animals that walk through the audience and display stunning special effects for some of the scenes. It is truly an amazing performance. So far, we have seen David, Daniel, Moses, and Noah. I am really excited to see this year’s show, Joshua, because he is one of my favorite people in the Bible. His story is incredible and his life is a great example of how to serve The LORD fervently.
Joshua experienced one of the most undesirable beginnings. He grew up a slave in Egypt. His parents were slaves. He was raised up under tyranny, persecution, and tremendous adversity. Yet, he walked with God. He became one of only two men from the original generation of slaves led by Moses to enter into the Promised Land. He lived through the first Passover when the Angel of Death went door to door. He walked through the Red Sea and saw the Egyptian army get destroyed. He saw the manna fall from Heaven for decades and the quail be provided for the Israelites. He even saw Moses receive the Ten Commandments from The LORD. Truly remarkable.
Joshua was trained by Moses and went from a slave to a soldier. He defeated Amaleck and had victories in the battles of Canaan. He led the army when the Walls of Jericho fell down. He even called on the LORD to have the Sun and Moon stand still, which was one of the most impressive miracles in the entire Bible. Despite the victories he led, he was a man that lived under God’s authority. He understood servanthood under Moses’ leadership and was content to serve and learn his place. At the age of 85, God called on him to take over for Moses and lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Think about that. Joshua was 85 years old when he was used by God to lead His people. When you walk with God, age can never be used as an excuse not to serve. The truth is there really is no retirement in God’s plan.
Now, we may never live the extraordinary life that Joshua lived and be called in the same way, but the simple truth is that age is not a factor in God’s plan. You can bet that if He calls you to accomplish something for His Kingdom, then He will equip you to get the job done. So let us remember that GOD IS NOT DONE WITH US! At the age of 110, God was still calling Joshua to summon all Israel and encourage them. Joshua quoted verses from Chapter 1 that stuck with him all of those years to comfort the people, as they did him. They are ones that we should all live by and are, essentially, the essence of our walk with The LORD:
Joshua 1:8-9
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Let us walk in this truth today!
Wayne Errig