27 December Joshua 13

When your strength runs out, God’s faithfulness takes over—He will finish what He started in you.

Joshua 13:1 (NIV) When Joshua had grown old, the Lord said to him, “You are now very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.

In Joshua 13:1 we read, “When Joshua had grown old, the Lord said to him, ‘You are now very old, and there are still large areas of land to be taken over.’”

God points out two important things to Joshua:

1. Joshua was very old—not just old, but very old.

2. There was still a lot of land to be conquered.

In the three chapters before this, we saw how the Israelites fought for the land of Canaan in three main stages. First, they defeated the central tribes. Then they took over the southern region. After that, they fought for years—probably about seven—against the northern kingdoms until most of the land was under their control. All of this happened under Joshua’s leadership.

Even after all those victories, God told Joshua, “There’s still more to do.” I can imagine Joshua feeling a bit discouraged. He had worked so hard for God and his people. He had given his best. But God didn’t end the conversation there.

In verses 6 and 7, God gave Joshua hope and a plan:

“As for all the people living in the mountain regions from Lebanon to Misrephoth Maim, all the Sidonians—I will drive them out ahead of the Israelites myself. You just need to make sure you give this land to Israel as their inheritance, just as I told you. Now divide it among the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh.”

God was saying, “Joshua, you don’t have to do it all yourself. I will take care of the rest—just make sure the land is given to my people as I’ve instructed.”

Even when we feel our strength is fading and our work seems unfinished, God reminds us that He will complete what He started. Our job is to be faithful with what He’s given us—He will take care of the rest.

Philippians 1:6 (NIV) “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

This verse reminds us of that God Himself completes the work He starts in our lives—we are not left to finish it alone.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV) “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”

God is the one who calls us, and He is also the one who makes sure His purpose is accomplished.

Joshua’s story in this chapter reminds us of a powerful truth—God’s plans are never limited by our age, energy, or ability. Just as He reassured Joshua, He reassures us: the work is ultimately His, and He will bring it to completion. We may reach seasons where our strength is less than before or where the task ahead feels overwhelming, but God remains faithful. Our responsibility is to obey His instructions, stay faithful to what He has placed in our hands, and trust Him to accomplish the rest. The One who began the good work in us will see it through, and as the One who calls us is faithful—He will do it.