Reading: Joshua 1
“I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous, do not be
frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
For forty years the new nation of Israel had waited to enter
the territory that the Lord God had promised them. Not because God had stripped
His promise of power but because the people had listened to the fear from the
original scouts so many years earlier and relinquished the opportunity to enter
the land before them. Only Caleb and Joshua had pleaded with the people to
trust the Lord.
But fear had paralyzed them even though God had already
released them from slavery. And they would not step into God’s words. And they
did not trust His message.
Now Moses had died, the generation from Egypt had passed and
God told Joshua, “Now proceed to cross
the Jordan.” “I will not fail you or forsake you.”
Once again the promises were given. And with them came
commands to step out in confidence and courage and trust.
God acknowledged their dismay, their fear, their
uncertainty, their weakness, their limited resources and their inexperience. However
He commanded them to trust Him instead. He reminded them to follow the laws He
had given them. He directed their focus. “Do
not turn to the right or to the left that you may be successful wherever you
go.”
Repeatedly He told them to be strong and courageous, to be strong and very courageous. Again the decision lay before them. Not
only the land itself but also the choice to believe in God’s words, accept His
promises, and obey His directions.
He understood their quaking hearts. Yet the only way they
could rise above their fear and step into a new beginning and a new life was to
choose to fix their eyes on Him and follow.
Lord, You still call us to move into new life, to follow
where You lead, and still we let fear paralyze us. Thank you for reminding us
that by Your help and Your presence we can choose to trust Your words. Thank
you for supplying courage to obey Your truth and in turn share with others Your
words of hope.
Psalm of Worship: Psalm 121: 8
“The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from
this time on and forevermore.”
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