Joshua leads Israel in defeating thirty-one kings. I find it interesting to read about how he defeated the king of Jerusalem. I tend to think of Israel defending and losing Israel, not attacking and gaining it.

Joshua is about to die. He hasn’t yet conquered all the land of Israel, but he has done his job.  His job was to defeat those kings that the Lord had given him and to divide the land into an inheritance for the twelve tribes.

Two and a half tribes have settled on the other side of the Jordan, having never crossed into the Promised Land. The other nine and a half were going to get an allotment, even though there was still more land to be conquered.

There is a big, big story when it comes to God and His people.

Joshua was one character. He had one part to play. He wasn’t the start or finish of the story. He just had to obey. He didn’t always play his part perfectly. He made a peace pact with a people he was commanded to destroy. He didn’t choose to disobey; he just really messed up.

God didn’t abandon him. He didn’t take away his place and give it to another. He stayed and fought with Joshua, fought for Joshua. The Lord was on his side, in spite of the foibles. He did his job, the best he could, with the Lord’s help.

What’s your job? Ephesians 2 tells us that God has prepared good works for each of us, that we should walk in them.

I don’t want to leave any of my tasks undone, but it’s comforting to know that even if I really mess up, the Lord will still be on my side. He won’t give up on the rest of the plan. He’ll still be there to carry me through, to fight for me, to continue the story.

We all have a part to play, each important, each miniscule in the grand scheme of things, but each dear to the Father’s heart. He created you, knit you together, made a plan for you, prepared the way, gave you everything you needed to be successful, to make a Father proud. If you trip, He’ll brush off the dirt on your knees and kiss the booboo and make it better, and encourage you on your way to finish the task.

Be a good and faithful servant. He won’t give up on you. Never give up on Him.