Ending Well In Grace
Beginnings may be impressive, but it’s in how we end that matters the most. The life and leadership of Joshua is a powerful model of a life and ministry that ended in grace. Joshua’s entrance into the leadership arena was a total shock to him. Perhaps, in his mind he was only prepared to be Moses’ assistant forever. God, again and again, assured Joshua of His abiding presence as he led His people to the Promised Land. Here, an amateur leader starts his leadership and begins his journey of learning grace. Here, Joshua learns that the lessons of grace are all about being broken before God.
God’s ways and His style are totally different from ours. It’s here Joshua humbly bowed down to the ways of God more than to his military wisdom. Who could forget the crossing of the Jordan; the battle of Jericho; the embarrassing defeat at Ai; and not to be forgotten, the inclusion of Rahab into the family of Israel? All these episodes spoke of grace! This created a powerful impact in Joshua’s life and was seen in his leadership as well. Joshua ended with a legacy of grace accorded to him by God’s people, while others just sadly faded away.
Joshua respected God’s people and gave them space to choose whom they would serve. Such exercise of grace made such a powerful impact on the nation of Israel that they served God throughout Joshua’s lifetime. This is a rare record of leadership—a whole nation serving the Lord. Grace made such a more powerful impact than a code of rules and legalistic monitoring of compliance. Such an impact is never achieved by effort or sacrifice; this is absolutely by grace! Ending in grace leaves an impact on the leader himself and leaves a legacy that continues to make an impact on others. A life lived in grace and a life that ends in grace leaves a timeless lesson that grace is here so that no man can boast.
This is an excerpt from Moments of Grace by Arnel C. Tan. This book is available at OMF Lit and Passages Bookshops and our online store, passagesbooks.com for P350.
It is also available in ebook version through Amazon, Buqo, Flipreads, Google Play Books, iBooks (international only), and Kobo.
Be challenged by this collection of 150 devotional and reflective essays, unlike most currently available devotional materials. Pastor Arnel focuses on a handful of dominant but recurring Bible themes, inviting us to interact. Topics in this collection include: Self-sufficiency, wilderness experience, brokenness, celebrating grace, being still, commitment to the community.
Moments of Grace is for men and women seeking fresh Bible insights to stir up their spiritual experience. Food for thought for established Christians, pastors, ministry heads and small-group leaders.