Hi Folks:

I have to tell you about something neat that happened yesterday. I bought a few maple spigots and tapped some trees below our house. It was the coolest thing to see one of them start to drip almost immediately. Ian was with me. He almost jumped back when he saw it. It was so cool! OK - so I'm easily impressed.

Today Moses hands the reins of leadership over to Joshua.

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Deuteronomy 31:7-8 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."*

These were the words Moses spoke to Joshua as he prepared to take over the leadership of the Hebrew people. If ever there was a time when strong leadership was needed, it was then. After wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, they were ready to enter the promised land. It would not be easy, however. There were still giants in the land. There were enemies to overcome. The people were stubborn.

I can think of only one reaction - GULP! Joshua would need all the strength and courage he could muster.

Did you ever think about how old Josh was when God told him this? He was, perhaps, in his sixties.

I figure he was in his twenties when he spied out the land. He was old enough to lead men into battle against the Amalekites (Ex.17:9-14), but young enough to have the stamina for an extended mission. Add forty years for wandering in the dessert (oops) - desert, and he was (at least) in his sixties.

It surprised me to learn of Josh’s age. First, Joshua is always portrayed as a young man. Second, we tell young people, "You can do it." I suppose we expect older people already to be strong.

When I was younger, there wasn’t anything I thought my father couldn’t do. He didn’t appear to be afraid of anything. I was afraid of the dark, and he wasn’t. I was afraid of earthworms and insects, but he could pick them up or squish them with his shoe. He was fearless.

I couldn’t wait to be just like him. I thought that when I grew up I, too, would be fearless. Now that I’m a father, I see the trust my boys have in me. It feels good to be their hero.

I wish I felt as strong as they think I am. Now - I know I am not weak. Over the years God has pushed out the limits of what I think I can do. I can say I have developed a certain level of competence and confidence. While strong, however, I am not fearless.

Many times I feel like an explorer about to sail off the edge of a map. Have you ever seen one of those old maps where there are sea serpents drawn over the areas yet to be charted? Posted on one map were the words, "There be dragons here." (Makes me want to do my pirate imitation - Haarrrrrrrrrrr!)

There are times that God leads us beyond the map, so to speak. We move from the familiar into the unknown. We become afraid because we do not know what to expect as we cross the border of our experience.

I thought that age would conquer this, and it has to some extent, but not completely. I still need to be reminded, "Be strong and courageous." I think about this when I realize that Josh was in his sixties (at least) and had to be told at least 6 times (Dt. 31:7, 23; Josh 1:6,9,18; 10:25), "Be strong and courageous."

Strangely enough, it encourages me to know that Josh needed strength and courage even though he was older than I am. He didn’t have it all together, but he was God's man anyway. It gives me hope that even though I am not as gifted as Josh, nor did I have a mentor like Moses, God still uses me in new and exciting, even hair-raising (I wish) ways.

We will never feel completely adequate. If we do, then perhaps we’re not trusting God for a big enough role. After all, God didn’t say to Josh, "I’ve reviewed all the possible candidates, and I believe you’re the man who’ll turn this nation around and lead it into the promised land!"

Rather, God said, "Be strong and courageous because I will go with you. I will never leave you or forsake you."

So - take courage. Be strong. Launch out. God didn’t say "Be fearless." He said, "Be strong and courageous, for I am with you." With God at our side, we can sail off the edge of the map into the unknown.

Hope this helps. Be OnFire.

Troy

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ON FIRE is a weekly letter of encouragement by Troy Dennis. This letter published March 8, 2006. www.onfireletter.com