Your wives, young children, and livestock may remain in the land Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But your fighting men must cross over in battle formation ahead of your brothers and help them until the LORD gives our brothers rest, as [He has given] you, and they too possess the land the LORD your God is giving them. You may then return to the land of your inheritance and take possession of what Moses the LORD's servant gave you on the east side of the Jordan. - Joshua 1:14-15
The twelve tribes of Israel had been promised land in Canaan (west of the Jordan River), but two and a half of them decided to take possession of the land east of the Jordan River; therefore, when the other nine and a half prepared to cross over, Joshua reminded the former group of their responsibility to help or aid in the victory to be won by the latter. Even though the eastern tribes had already gained their inheritance this did not mean they were exempt from helping their western countrymen obtain theirs. They would have to share in the fight in order to share in the victory.
Within the Body of Christ, not a single person stands alone. Perhaps today you are winning the fight of faith and it seems your brother or sister is not. Tomorrow might be your day to stumble while your brother or sister stands. What is our responsibility when we are experiencing the victory and our family is engaged in a great battle? Do we stand back and think, "Hey, I did it, now you need to do it yourself"?
I think not. Your "Jordan" may not come today or tomorrow, but it will come and when it does you will need the Body of Christ as much as it needs you.
If we do not hang together, we shall surely hang separately. - Thomas Paine
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