Transition

Some people love change; others hate it. Some change comes out of the blue; other change is entirely predictable. But either way, we can’t ignore it. Wise organizations (including churches) put effort into continuity planning. Even wiser ones seek to know God! God never starts from the unknown. As Moses’ death approached, God initiated the planning (Deut. 31:14). The change facing Joshua and God’s people was perfectly predictable, although the timing wasn’t! But God
graciously speaks to Joshua (1,2). He may sometimes appear to be silent, but at the right time he will speak. How have you experienced that? Here, God also speaks to Joshua about continuity—his plan is unchanged (3). Discovering and understanding God’s plan needs subtlety and discernment. It would have been easy to think that Moses’ death meant the death of God’s plan. But his plan was bigger than Moses—or Joshua. Similarly, our lives are part of something much bigger, and that often explains the delays and frustrations we experience. Nevertheless, stepping into Moses’ shoes must have been a daunting task for Joshua, even given the experiences of the past (Exod. 24:13; Deut. 1:38). Thankfully the God who made us understands us and the way we are wired. So, as well as instruction (3) God gives Joshua encouragement. How many examples can you find here? But he also tells him—three times!—to be strong and courageous. It’s one thing to be told to be strong (How often have you told people to do that?)—it’s quite another to do it. Napoleon Bonaparte, in one of his wiser moments, said, “Courage is like love; it must have hope to nourish it.” In the end, Joshua’s hope came from God’s promises. Moses had gone, but God’s Law remained. “Be strong” was far from being a platitude—twice God gave him reasons (6,9).

How do you handle a time of change? What insights about change have you discovered from this passage of Joshua?