Is the Task too Big?

Have you thought that God asked you to do something that was too big for you? Starting in the first chapter of Joshua through the fourth chapter, there are some very daunting tasks asked of Joshua.

In these passages of scripture, Moses has recently died.  Joshua had been his faithful aid and chosen as Moses’ successor.  Joshua may have still been grieving the loss of Moses and wondering at the same time….how am I going to lead this nation?

As if that is not enough, Joshua’s first assignment was to destroy Jericho.  To put in perspective of what God had asked Joshua to do, let me give you some dimensions of Jericho.  Don Stamps says, “the city of Jericho covered about eight acres, it was a fortress city and not just for its residents, but the nearby groups of people were included.  The walls may have been 30 feet high and 20’ thick. Jericho was considered to be invincible and protected by the gods of the Canaanites.”

Task number two for Joshua was crossing the Jordan River at flood time, with the entirety of the Israelite community, babies, and all.

Talk about two giant tasks were given Joshua for his first leadership assignments.  How and why would God ask something that was impossible?  There are several answers that are possible.  In the first chapter, God tells Joshua to be “strong and courage” several times. Then God tells Joshua why he can be strong and courage: God keeps his promises. He will never leave him as he never left Moses, and God has a plan to finish what He starts.

What was Joshua’s responsibility? Do not depart from the Word of God, meditate on it, ponder the truths, reflect on it day and night, and obey it completely. 

What was the outcome for Joshua in these four chapters?  Joshua completes these tasks with the Lord’s plan and direction.  There was no way, walking around the walls of a fortress would bring it down to the ground, or getting all the people through a raging river would every occur without divine intervention. That was the point. This was God’s doing, with God’s man. The scripture reads, “That day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they revered him all the days of his life, just as they had revered Moses.”

What things has God asked you to do that seem impossible.  The same God that was with Joshua, is unchanging and is with you, asking for obedience, trust, meditating on his word and obedience.  With God, all things are possible.

Pastor Ruth Kaunley