Over the years, as Linda’s battle with Alzheimer’s moved from a minor inconvenience to a significant distraction, I slowly became aware that God was calling me to a new field of service which I had never considered before: My ministry is to be a primary caregiver to Linda, and I am to share that which I am learning with others who are facing similar struggles. The name of my blog, Walking Victoriously through the “Long Goodbye,” connotes my understanding that this new call of God upon my life is to be accepted with the awareness that I will face great difficulties; however, through God I will persevere and victoriously complete my assignment. Presently, leadership in politics, business, and the church is often short-sighted and carried out in a reactive rather than proactive manner. Conversely, God’s instructions to Joshua are refreshingly different. Before discussing the pain and difficulties which are ahead, He first extends the promise of His continuing presence and power:
After Moses, the servant of the Lord, had died, the Lord spoke to Nun’s son Joshua, announcing to him, “My servant Moses is dead. Now get ready to cross the Jordan River—you and all the people—to the land that I’m giving the Israelis. I’m giving you every place where the sole of your foot falls, just as I promised Moses. Your territorial border will extend from the wilderness to the Lebanon Mountains, to the river—that great River Euphrates—all the land of the Hittites—as far as the Mediterranean Sea where the sun sets. No one will be victorious against you for the rest of your life. I’ll be with you just like I was with Moses—I’ll neither fail you nor abandon you.
“Be strong and courageous, because you’ll be leading this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Only be strong and very courageous to ensure that you obey all the instructions that my servant Moses gave you—turn neither to the right nor to the left from it—so that you may succeed wherever you go. This set of instructions is not to cease being a part of your conversations. Meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to carry out everything that’s written in it, for then you’ll prosper and succeed. I’ve commanded you, haven’t I? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be fearful or discouraged, because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:1-9 ISV).
Believing that the principles and precepts outlined in this portion of Scripture are available to all of God’s children, I claim the following truths for myself and urge those facing discouragement to do likewise:
Establishing God’s plans and purposes on earth are never dependent upon one person: My servant Moses is dead. Now get ready to cross the Jordan River—you and all the people—to the land that I’m giving the Israelis.
Even in times of crisis, God wishes to expand our boundaries: I’m giving you every place where the sole of your foot falls, just as I promised Moses. Your territorial border will extend from the wilderness to the Lebanon Mountains, to the river—that great River Euphrates—all the land of the Hittites—as far as the Mediterranean Sea where the sun sets.
Ultimately, God leads His people to victory and not defeat: No one will be victorious against you for the rest of your life. I’ll be with you just like I was with Moses—I’ll neither fail you nor abandon you.
Courage in the face of fear is the antidote for discouragement: “Be strong and courageous, because you’ll be leading this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Only be strong and very courageous to ensure that you obey all the instructions that my servant Moses gave you—turn neither to the right nor to the left from it—so that you may succeed wherever you go.
We are to continually meditate upon and apply the Word of God to our lives: This set of instructions is not to cease being a part of your conversations. Meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to carry out everything that’s written in it, for then you’ll prosper and succeed.
God’s presence assures us that we shall be victorious: I’ve commanded you, haven’t I? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be fearful or discouraged, because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Northcote Deck, considering God’s assurances to Joshua, provides a meaningful summary: “Wherever God has placed us, and in every detail of our daily lives, He has ordained the land we are to possess to their very borders, and has ordained the victory to be won.”
Ron Harvard Ministries 