Have you ever been on a long, arduous journey you were certain would never end?
It’s easy to imagine the Israelites feeling that way: by the time Joshua took over leadership, they were all physically exhausted and emotionally drained.
Joshua began his time with a much-needed pep talk: “Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction my servant Moses commanded you.” Joshua 1:7 HCSB
OK, Israelites, you’re tired of trekking through the wilderness. You’re missing Moses and family and friends who’ve died on this journey. You’re not sure if you can go any further.
Be strong and courageous. Strong in your conviction that God is still on the throne. Courageous to obey what He instructs, no matter how much it doesn’t make sense through human eyes.
Four time, four times, in Joshua chapter one, the Israelites are reminded and admonished and encouraged, “Be strong and courageous.”
The Israelites didn’t need those reminders because they excelled in this area.
No, they needed to hear those words again and again to encourage them how to handle life.
The irony to this is found in Joshua 2:11. When the spies entered Jericho, spoke with Rahab; they learned the city’s perception of the Israelites: “Our hearts melted in fear…”
For all their wandering and wondering through the physical desert and, at times, a spiritual wilderness. Despite their self-view of “how weak and even crazy we must be,” their enemies’ assessment disclosed that God was both building them, and bolstering them into a people who would be called His Chosen Children.
Those in Jericho knew enough of the Israelites’ life events to know God was with them, God was for them, and He would give them this land.
They knew they could never stand against these people. That’s why their hearts melted.
Are we as Christians ever wandering and wondering around life, stuck in the wilderness, even feeling that we are getting nowhere?
Frustration, exhaustion and momentary doubt may reign.
Then someone on the outside witnesses what God has done in our lives and marvels at what we have accomplished through Him.
Sometimes, those words that declare what God has done remove the blinders so we can see God’s perfect plan and purpose for each step He lovingly ordered.
While the people of Jericho had hearts melting in fear of the Israelites, when we see, truly see, what God is doing in our lives, maybe then, we can allow our hearts to melt at the great love He is showering upon us.