Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”

Joshua 5:13

What do you do the day before a noticeably big day for you? A lifetime opportunity looms ahead of you. You have dreamed about this all your life, and now the day is dawning. You are standing at the crossroads, with huge expectations and a pounding heart. Yet, the realities are oblivious to you. What things preoccupy your mind, and how do you make it a memorable occasion in anticipation of better things?

Recall Israel at Gilgal after they crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land. Tired after forty years of wandering in the wilderness, they needed no more pain, just the land to possess. However, God had a few details to work out with them.

God instructed Joshua to circumcise all the young people born in the wilderness after the Exodus (Joshua 5:2-5). Circumcision was the sign of His covenant with their father Abraham that made them His covenant people, and the reproach of Egypt, the land of their slavery, must go (9). They celebrated the Passover, ate some produce of the Promised Land, and the manna ceased (Joshua 5:10-12). God replaced their painful memories with the freshness of His covenant. Therefore, they were ready for the Commander of the Lord’s army to lead them to take possession of their inheritance, and the assault on Jericho was their first (13-15).

The year 2020 has been a journey in the wilderness for the entire world. Unfulfilled dreams, crashed desires, disappointments, failures, painful experiences, death, economic downturn, and financial crisis. But a new year dawns tomorrow. What memories are you going to carry along with you into it? What habits do you have to leave behind? Are you going to let your disappointments, hurts, and failures set the tone for the year 2021? Why not let optimism and hope in God’s promises strengthen your backbone for victory in Christ Jesus, the Commander of the Lord’s army?

Yes, every year comes with its unique challenges. However, they should not threaten you. Lift your eyes to the One who sits on the right hand of God in Majesty and draw strength from Him to overcome them. Let go of the disappointments of this COVID-19 year. Remember all that God has done for you regardless of everything and take hold of the opportunities the new year brings. AMEN!