CARRYING ON THE WORK OF THOSE BEFORE

CARRYING ON THE WORK OF THOSE BEFORE

"Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan" Josh. 1:2

 As these words are read, we are reminded of John Wesley's saying: "God buries His workmen, but carries on His work." Joshua was CALLED, EQUIPPED, APPOINTED TO CARRY THE PURPOSE OF GOD A STEP FURTHER; but all he was about to do was made possible by what Moses had already done. The first great leader of the people had COMPLETED his task; he had done what God had APPOINTED him to do, but there were things he could not do. He came to the end of his service knowing the greater things yet to be done. The second leader was now to take up his task; he also must do what God had appointed, knowing that there were things which he could not have done. He came to the beginning of his service knowing his dependence upon the things already done. Thus it always is with regard to God's enterprises in this world. He is SUPREME in PLAN, in PURPOSE, in POWER. He alone is the One Who works CONTINUOUSLY, and without CESSATION, UNTIL THE WORK IS COMPLETED. His instruments are MEN, and high indeed is the honor of being such. EACH WILL TAKE UP A WORK ALREADY BEGUN, AND WILL LEAVE IT UNFINISHED. Each is DEBTOR to those who have gone before, and CREDITOR to those who are to follow. Therefore it behooves us to be filled with HUMILITY AND RESTFULNESS. We must be humble as we remember that no service we render is wholly ours. The conditions which make it possible have been created by others; and indeed in itself it is part of their work. But we must be RESTFUL also. None of us can finish anything. The work we do is part of a larger whole, and when our "twelve hours" have run their course, it will not be completed. God will still continue it, and find other instruments. That is the joy of “working together with Him”. (2 Cor. 6:1)