Mensa Otabil - Arise and Go Over (10/01/2025)
We start a new week, and we’ll be looking at the Book of Joshua, Chapter One. We begin with verses one and two: After the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses’s assistant, saying, «Moses, my servant, is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, the children of Israel.»
The Book of Joshua starts on a very strong note because it is a book of transition, where new leadership is emerging. Joshua had served Moses for the better part of 40 years. During much of Israel’s life, Moses was the predominant figure, and now that Moses is off the scene, they have had some days of mourning for him. So it is time for business. God speaks to Joshua, the new leader, and says, «It’s time; arise, go out there, and lead the people to the place I promised them.»
God told Joshua how to respond to leadership in a vacuum when it seems like what you trusted in is gone. There is new leadership; what are you supposed to do? A couple of things he said to Joshua that will also help you: He said to Joshua, «Arise.» This doesn’t mean he was sitting down, but the word «arise» means to step up to the challenge.
There is a challenge; there is a moment. Don’t just sit and talk about it, and don’t wail and mourn. Step up to the challenge. God was moving Joshua from a place of just waiting, assisting, and helping to take the front seat and lead. Many times when we are supposed to lead, we keep following, which happens to many of us. When we are supposed to make a decision, we want somebody else to make the decision for us. When we are supposed to take a step, we want somebody to take the step for us. But today we must take a cue from Joshua: «Arise, it’s your turn.»
Then God said to Joshua, «Go over this Jordan.» The Jordan River had been a stumbling block, so to speak, between Israel and the promised land. For almost 40 years, they had camped on the other side of the Jordan when their promised land was to cross over it. So God tells Joshua to cross over the Jordan. It is quite interesting that Moses, the great leader, could never go over the Jordan. He who went over the Red Sea couldn’t go over the Jordan. This just tells you that sometimes people can be very victorious in one area and struggle in another, unable to overcome some problems that come their way. Joshua is now the one who is supposed to lead the people across the Jordan.
There is something very instructive here: Just because others you looked up to couldn’t get something done doesn’t mean you cannot get it done. Moses couldn’t go over the Jordan, but Joshua could go over the Jordan. Many times when we look up to people, we respect them and value their leadership, we also make their standard our limitation. We say, «Well, even if so-and-so couldn’t do it, then I cannot do it.» But God shows us that even when a great leader like Moses is unable to accomplish something, his assistant can come in and do what Moses couldn’t do.
So don’t let somebody’s failure become the limit to your own achievement in life. God says to Joshua, «I’m giving you the land. Rise up, go over and take it.» Maybe in 2021, God is giving you something. We must also rise up, step up to the challenge, go over, and possess it. May the Lord give us our promise in 2021. Let us pray. Say with me, «Heavenly Father, thank you that you are with me. Help me to rise above my limitations. In Jesus' name, amen.» Rise, go over; there is a promise for you in 2021. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom—peace and life to you.