A LIFETIME OF SERVICE

Today's reading: Joshua 21-24

"Then Joshua called together the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh. He told them, You have done as Moses, the servant of the Lord, commanded you, and you have obeyed every order I have given you. You have not deserted the other tribes, even though the campaign has lasted for such a long time. You have been careful to obey the commands of the Lord your God up to the present day. And now the Lord your God has given the other tribes rest, as he promised them. So go home now to the land Moses, the servant of the Lord, gave you on the east side of the Jordan River. But be very careful to obey all the commands and the law that Moses gave to you. Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, be faithful to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul." Joshua 22:1-5 NLT

Bible scholars say the time frame of this long campaign to secure the Promised Land took anywhere from seven to ten years.

That's 7-10 years that the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh worked, and fought, alongside their fellow tribesmen to get them settled into their new land--before these 2-1/2 tribes got to settle in and live on their own land on the east side of the Jordan.

That's a long time to follow orders, do what's commanded, trust in God's promise and help others to capture every blessing God intended for them.

Just what does one do after such a long time of walking that closely to the Lord?

You keep walking with Him!

Joshua told them not to stop doing what they'd been doing when they went home.

He reminded them to continue following the Lord, heart and soul.

He instructed them to keep the love for the Lord their God burning within them.

You see, being God's child isn't a seasonal thing.

There is no retiring from it, no taking a vacation from it, no setting it aside to pursue other interests.

Being a follower of God is a lifetime of service!