Devotions with Nell Ritchey

According to my research, Joshua was probably at least 70 years old when he took over leadership of Israel following the death of Moses. He led the people across the Jordan River, and then he led the fight to repossess the Promised Land for God’s people. You’d think that would have been enough. But no, it wasn’t.
In Joshua 13:1, we read these words: “When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, the Lord said to him, ‘You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.’ He then goes on to itemize the jobs he has set out for Joshua. There was still work to be done, and there was a faithful servant to do it. What did it matter if he was “very old”?
I “retired” in 2019, and many of my former co-workers are also retiring. However, as I talk to each one, I discover they’re not really retiring, and neither did I. Our ministries just changed locations. God can use the very old, and He can use the very young. My little granddaughter loves to help. She accompanied me to Be Filled of South Topeka last week, and as a new reader, she stopped at one of the doors and said, “I can’t go in there.” “Why?” I asked. “Because the sign says ‘Volunteers Only,’ and I’m not a volunteer.” What are you talking about, child? You work as hard as anybody. You most certainly are a volunteer! One of our regular volunteers at Be Filled has two bad knees, other mobility issues, and depends on others for transportation. But he is there every time the doors are open, and he works like two men. We do need to accommodate him regarding his disabilities, but there is plenty he can do, and he enthusiastically does it.
So the point is, it doesn’t matter what your age is, or your gender, or even, really, your state of health. There is work to be done in the family of God, and there’s something YOU can do! I pray that you will.
Nell Ritchey