Deuteronomy 34; Joshua 1

“You are to help them until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land” (1:14-15). After Moses died, Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land. Some tribes (Manasseh, Gad, and Reuben) quickly occupied land east of the Jordan river, yet Joshua told them not to settle, but to help the rest of Israel occupy the territory west of the Jordan. They were responsible for more than themselves; they could not rest until their fellow Israelites were also at peace.

“Be strong and very courageous” (1:7). God calls us to courage not just for ourselves, but on behalf of one another – standing together in faith until we all find our “rest.”