Be Ready When Your Time Comes

Note from today’s Bible reading: Joshua 1-7

After Moses died, God spoke to Joshua about his responsibility to take over and lead the people of Israel: “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel” (Joshua 1:2).

Joshua had been a servant of Moses (Exodus 24:13). He was one of the two faithful spies who encouraged the people to take possession of the promised land after he returned from spying it out (Numbers 14:6-9). Yet now, he had an immense responsibility that had just been placed upon him.

This was not unexpected. Joshua knew he was in line to replace Moses (Numbers 27:15-23). Yet even in such cases, there is still a temptation to neglect the physical and mental preparations necessary to assume such an important role. Joshua had no time for this. Immediately after Moses died, he needed to step up and fulfill this role God was giving him.

We will encounter various opportunities throughout our lives – some will be expected (as was the case with Joshua), and some will not. Regardless, we need to be developing ourselves – skills, maturity, temperament, connections, etc. – so that when opportunities arise, we are ready to take advantage of them.

So be ready when your time comes. Continue to grow and improve yourself – physically, mentally, and spiritually. We want to be prepared for whatever opportunities may be placed before us.