“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.”
After hearing the plan of God, it would seem that Joshua was fearful. I don’t know why because that was not his situation when he went in as a spy, but one can fear the circumstances of conflict. I do.
As they were to go over the river Jordan, their enemies were well-trained and well-prepared for battle. There were many of them and there were giants in the land. Joshua was earlier convinced God could give them victory. So, perhaps, what Joshua feared was taking over the leadership position. He wasn’t as talented as Moses. He wasn’t as educated as Moses. He wasn’t as experienced as Moses. He wasn’t as spiritual as Moses. Moses had seen God face to face and had been called a friend of God or maybe one fear of Joshua was the people had a history of rebellion and being stubborn.
God’s plan was to be carried out by Joshua and he doubted his own strength and wisdom. This plan of ridding the enemies of their land was not really cooked up by Joshua. It was God’s idea. God also promised His presence. “Joshua, I will help you. Joshua, I will be with you. I will never leave you. I will not fail you. You have my promise.”
If there is anything within the Christian life that excites me more, it is to be aware God is close, and I can experience His presence within me by placing my trust in Jesus. When I focus on His love and sense His desire to work in my life, it is a blessing. To have faith and to take the next step, even so small, is a victory, but too often I am full of doubt.
Jesus told His disciples, ”I will not leave you comfortless, but will send you another comforter who will be with you wherever you go.” Within the lives of these disciples came the presence of God in the person of the Holy Spirit. He indwells within every believer. That aspect of the divine, that He is within us upon our invitation, brings a special relationship that causes us to be successful for His purpose.
We as Christians also have the benefit of knowing God keeps His promises. We have the entire Bible to read and discover all the promises that have been fulfilled in Jesus.
There are times when life will just not make any sense, but one thing is true, faith in God is giving the bigger picture over to Him and go forth claiming His promise of comfort with His presence. My friend, Dale Lundgren, was paralyzed from an accident. He wrote a song, “Our Disappointments are God’s Appointments”. He was used of God in music and in ministry to other disabled people in joy. He said God never left him and in fact, used him in a greater way for His glory and Dale’s blessing. He kept His promises.
Application: What promise of God do you need to trust this new year?
Prayer: Lord, may my faith rest in Your promises not my lack or my feelings.
