After Battle

"You have not forsaken your brothers these many days to this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the Lord your God. And now the Lord your God has given rest to your brothers, as He spoke to them; therefore turn now and go to your tents, to the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you beyond the Jordan. Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God and walk in all His ways and keep His commandments and hold fast to Him and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul." -Joshua 22.3-5

Before Moses had died the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh asked Moses for land on the east side of the Jordan. Moses grants their request, but on the condition that they join the rest of the nation and assist in taking the Promised Land until they have received their inheritance. Now that the land has been taken and they have kept their promise, Joshua sends them home, but he does so with instructions.

He tells them to be careful to observe and obey God. They need to keep His commandments and serve Him with all their heart and soul. I believe this warning is crucial, especially after battle. In the midst of fighting it is easy to depend upon God. You need Him for victory and your very survival. But when the fighting ends, when peace and rest are the norm, it is easy to not depend upon God.

Like wise, when there is no battle to fight, it is easy to become bored, distracted, and fat and lazy. When there seems to be no purpose to your existence any more its easy to fill the time with things that waste it, or to simply give up. I've heard stories about guys who retire and six months later are dead. This is why we need to have hobbies outside of work. This is why we need to have passions we pursue outside of our obligations.

Men, when the battle ends, we must be careful that we don't lose sight of God. We must be careful that we don't grow complacent and apathetic. We must be careful to observe all that God has commanded us and walk in His ways. We cannot lose sight of Him when the battle is over. We still have a purpose when the fighting has come to an end.

Let us be men who live for more than battle. Let us be men who are dependent upon God before we ever go off to war. Let us be men who live with obedient purpose after the battle.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor