Joshua 1:5-9
5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
This is a monumental transition in leadership. Israel is moving from leadership under Moses to leadership under Joshua. Ultimately Joshua would face incredible challenges not only in leading the amount of people he is called to lead, but having to deal with following the leadership of Moses.
Every person who follows someone in leadership faces comparisons by those they are leading. I am sure at times Joshua dealt with fear and insecurity, wondering if he was matching up to his mentor and spiritual father Moses. But in this passage the Lord on multiple times says to Joshua be strong and courageous. God said this ahead of time because the Lord knew the challenges Joshua would face. God knew what the enemy would throw at Joshua to try to paralyze and destabilize the nation as they took the promised land.
But it is key here to see that God told Joshua to be strong and courageous because the Lord promised to never leave nor forsake him. The Lord promised to go before him and give him the land that God had promised. It is important to see when we are following God and we are surrendered to Him and His will that it is not our plan we are following, it is His. If it is His plan than He will equip, empower, and enable us to overcome and accomplish whatever He has put in front of us.
Another important thing to see is that God told Joshua to never allow the law to depart from his lips, but he is called to meditate on it day and night, not turning to the right or the left. God’s word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. If as leaders we will hold to the word of God and live according to it, the blessing of the Lord will always follow obedience and faithfulness. God’s word is to be our guide for all things.
The bottom line is that God is with us. Yes there are moments when we feel overwhelmed. There are moments when we feel like throwing in the towel. There are moments when we feel like that which God has promised us seems impossible. But this is the journey we have with Jesus. It is a journey that is impossible if we try to accomplish it ourselves. But we are called to walk and abide with Him and in Him. We need to let go of the fear and unbelief. We need to take it one step at a time. We simply need to trust God at His word. He is faithful. He is faithful. He is faithful.
Prayer
Father, I come to you today and ask you to lead and guide me in all things. Reveal your will and purpose for my life. Help me to trust you. Help me to meditate upon your word day and night. Help me not to turn from it but to live by it. Father today I give all that I am into your hands. I pray that you would empower me and equip me for every good purpose. Father today remove all fear and doubt. Guard my heart from every assault of the enemy and deliver me from every snare and temptation. I pray that the hand of Satan be bound against my life and every purpose you have for me be poured out in the name of Jesus, Amen!
Comments