Joshua has always intrigued me. First, I loved his passion and commitment, not just for himself, but for God’s glory. When the ten were timid, he and Caleb were ready to go, confident and trusting. What has also impressed me, however, is Joshua’s stamina. Here was a man who not only fought the good fight, but who finished the race and finished well.
Genesis recounts for us some rather titanic shifts for humanity. Creation itself, moving from non-being to being is there. The fall, moving from perfection to depravity is there. The deluge, moving from a world of peoples to just one family is there. At the same time, however, there is this change- the shift from life spans measured in the hundreds of years to life spans much more like ours. Moses, of course, had a rather productive old age, leading the nation of Israel from the time he was 80 to his death at 120. Leading a nation through the wilderness for forty years would be tough on anyone, but beginning when you were 80?
Joshua most likely was at least sixty years old when Israel entered into the Promised Land under his leadership. His calling, however, wasn’t merely to lead the people on a long journey. He was called to lead the conquest of the land, to lead them into battle. He wasn’t just a statesman, but an active soldier. And when the land was essentially conquered, when all that remained was resistance on the frontiers, off he went to the frontier, to fight for the land God had promised him. There was no easing into retirement as a precursor to easing into the afterlife. He went out with his boots on.
In God’s good providence I am not called to wage physical war with the enemies of God. I am, however, called to wage spiritual war with the enemies of God. That calling does not end at my retirement, but when I am called home. And it makes me weary. The fiercest enemy of God that I fight, of course, is the old man yet within me. Him I am to be continually putting to death. He, however, never takes a rest. In addition to mortifying my own flesh, I am likewise called to take on the world and the devil. Neither takes a rest.
Which is one reason we are so apt to grow weary. Our journey is immeasurably long, our enemies immeasurably tenacious. I want to fight as faithfully as Joshua, and for as many years as Joshua. But I have something he could only look forward to, the rest that Christ won. My enemies fight against me 24/7. But because of my Friend, because of my Hero and Champion, I fight 24/6. The rest, however, is for the valiant. Refuse the call to the battle and I miss the invitation to rest.
Our Lord’s Day rest is a foretaste of our eternal rest, eternity piercing our every day. Lord teach me to rest that I might go and fight. And teach me to fight that I might be blessed with rest.