It’s April, and my reading plan has me in Joshua – one of the few “success” books in the Bible. I love the way it starts. Ready?

After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, “Moses my servant is dead…” (Joshua 1.1 – 2, ESV)

Inspiring, yes?

What’s inspiring is what follows. “Moses my servant is dead, therefore, build a memorial to him.” Nope. “Moses my servant is dead, and I don’t know what Israel is going to do without him.” Nope.

Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. (Joshua 1.2, ESV)

Moses my servant is dead. THEREFORE, arise and get about the mission I have for you.

What does God have for you and me today?

Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead… (Philippians 3.13, ESV)

Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; (Hebrews 7.23, NIV)