The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 139

invests liim. And in his first enterprise he has such help as makes him secure of ~he future 11llegiance of 1111 the people. M11ny are, and more ought to be, beginners m God's w11ya. Consider the testimony of this incident as it affects them, and first observe- r. BEGINNERS NEED SPECIAL GRACE AND HELP. Evidently Joshua did. If Moses shmnk, how much more might he, from this perilous enterprise, when the efforts of the people, 11fter settlement, had no such stimulus as had been supplied by the oppreas10n of their masters ; when he was uncommended by the signs he carried of his Divine commission; when probably Eleazar would have been glad to have been chief ruler; when almost inevitably there would be critics who would opnose his plans and dispute the wisdom of his orders I He had double work to do-to cross Jordan, and justify his own appointment. Nay, treble work to do-for his power of helping Ismel in the future depended largely on what he would now do. Suffi- cient unto that day was its own troubles ; but it had to carry the justification of the past and the assurance of the future with it. Even so all beginners find their work especially arduous. "It is the first step that costs ; " the first step of ihe prodigal returning to his father; the leaving the nets to follow Christ; the first act of service to men. We are unaccustomed; and that force of habit which stands us in such good stead when we have had experience of well-doing now operates the other way. All obstacles are enlarged by nervous apprehensions. In subsequent acts we may have society-the first act of right is apt to be profoundly solitary. Do not be staggered at the difficulties of beginning well. All beginners have bad the same experience to contend with. But observe secondly- II. BEGINNERS HAVE SPECIAL GRACE TO MEET THEIR SPECIAL DIFFICULTIES. As with Paul's "thorn," pity to remove which was asked, grace to endure which was granted; so here God does not take away the difficulty, but gives grace to surmount it. Over and above the usual grace He gives to all His saints, there is special grace given to them. Has Moses a task imposed on him specially arduous? Not one di.fficultyisremoved, but miraculous signs invest him with a sacred in.iolable dignity, and plagues of terrific powei: sanction his demands. Is David indicated as future king by the whispered call of God? In the challenge of Goliath and the pouring of a "patriotic tide through his undaunted heart "-the suggested ;la.ring, and the power to achieve what he dares to undertake-the begmning of his kingly service ill made possible. Does it come to D11niel 11s a duty to keep himself pure from defiling meats? The beginning of his devotion is helped by 11 physical grace that keeps him strong 11nd well. The beginning of Peter's consecmtion is helped by the mir11culoua draught of fishes. The beginning of the service of the seventy, by the miraculous powers so freely imparted to them. And so always there is speci11l grace for those beginning. There is some fulnesa of gracious influence-clearness of lighs -some strengthening companionship of man-some closer presence of God-invigo- rating hopes-the energy which comoB from the s11cred calm of penitence-some cle11riog of the way before us-some moving of the pillar of fire and cloud, or or t4e Ark of God. And whenever 11ny enterprise of Christi11n love is undertaken, there is alw11ys some help of 11 special kind. Enlargement of spirit-some power of pmyer, or p11tience-some great strength of humility or steadfastness. As here, so alw11ys, specie.I gmce attends the beginnings of 1111 great courses. And this is no light thing, for in all the forms of Christian life and service, "Well begun is h111f done." And the grace then given not ruerely m11kes the beginning possible, but 1111 the subsequent career. '' They feared J oshu11 11s they fe11red Moses, 1111 the days of bis life." Always, the beginner gets special grace for the beginning of his work, 11nd sufficient to exert an influence on 1111 th11t follows after. If such is the c11se, comider l11stly- III. WHAT LESSONS ARE INVOLVED IN IT. There is tliis lesson first 11nd foremost- 1. Shrink not from beginning the Ch.ristian life. It is difficult-nay, to n11ked human strength impossible. The beginning-the Jord_an p11ssage-will try you. But beginnerR' difficulties are more th11n matched by begmners' grace. You may not feel this gmce : it m11y be "111tent" gre.oe, and not "_sensible " grace ; but it will be there. omnipotent enough to carry you over every hmdre.nce. 74 THE DOOK OF JOSHUA. fcH. IV, 1-24.