JOSHUA 3:7 : And the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to magnify you in the sight of all
Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.”
How quickly manmade greatness fades! Before he attacked Russia, Napoleon Bonaparte seemed to
have the world at his feet. But the Russian invasion turned into a disaster and Napoleon, fearing his
position at home was in danger, left the French army and hurried back to France almost
unaccompanied.
Arriving at a river crossing, Napoleon inquired of the ferryman whether many deserters had come that
way. Not recognizing the famous leader, the man responded, “No, you are the first.”
God does not deal in such fleeting fame. What He offered to Joshua was something far better than
anything man could give. As Joshua responded in obedience to God’s Word, the Lord assured him
that He would exalt him.
Just as God had brought honor to Moses, so would He bring honor and respect to Joshua. This would
not be a human grab for glory, but a gracious gift from God.
God offers the same to every Christian. As we make Christ the center of our lives and His Word the
focal point of all that we say or do, the Lord will bring to us a glory that will outlast any honor that man
could bestow.
While we may not always be recognized by the movers and shakers of this world, the Scriptures
assure us that we will be revealed in all our glory when Christ returns (1 Pet. 1: 7). Don’t worry if
those around you fail to praise you. Seek instead for the honor that comes from the Lord. That glory
will last forever.
ETERNAL GREATNESS CAN COME ONLY FROM AN ETERNAL GOD.