We all know the value of a best friend. A person, we can talk to about all that troubles us and about the good things happening in our life. They listen, don’t judge, don’t share our thoughts with the world. The person who came to our side in times of trouble, sorrow, and sickness. Maybe, they even bailed us out of a financial difficulty at some point. Trustworthy is the word that first comes to our mind when we hear that person’s name.
Moses has died. New leadership is preparing to take over. God has a conversation with Joshua. Joshua knew the behavior of these wilderness wandering, complaining people of God. Leading them had not been an easy task for Moses and I would imagine that Joshua knew what was ahead and prayed for guidance.
God places people in our lives to be our companions and friends. He doesn’t bring those people in our lives to replace Him. Hopefully, they will stay with us but sometimes that is not the case. Our heavenly Father is the only one we can ultimately trust. Hands down. The only One. From birth to our cross over to eternity, He wants to be the One we come to. For everything. Nothing is too small or too big for Him.
So it is, Joshua and God have a conversation. Don’t know how that came about exactly, but Joshua had seen the miracles, the fire by night and the cloud by day, leading His people. So, I imagine he knew he could trust whatever God would say to Him and would take the advice seriously and to heart.
Things were going to change. A new leader was going to take over the charge. He sought God for help. God gave him instructions regarding leadership, He tells him to be strong and very courageous. Keep the Book of the Law always on your lips and then comes the word that Joshua, you and I can hold to. It is the verse I chose for today.
We are in the midst of a turning point right now. We can either do nothing and accept what comes, as bad as it appears it could be, or we can delve into God’s word, seek His counsel, converse with Him daily, believe that we can trust Him to do what He says, and stand firm and stand tall. This is not a world for cowards. This is not a world that we should be silent about, either. Just as the future of Joshua and God’s people was going to change, God wants Joshua to know some very important things. In my opinion, the most comforting word He had for Joshua was in verse 9.
When you face uncertainty. When you face financial issues that bring anxiety. When you have workplace challenges that wear you out. When you have illness or injuries interrupt your life. When you see sorrow coming. When we do not recognize the country of our birth. When the future waits for a decision. What do we do? God commands that we place our trust in Him. He needs warriors of prayer, warriors unafraid to speak and stand firm. Above all, He does not want us to tremble and be dismayed. Our Savior is the Lion of Judah. With Him behind us we can be strong and courageous. Stay in His word and speak with Him daily. He is trust. He is love. He is our Father.
~Scripture For Today~
Joshua 1:9
1 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (NASB)
~Reading For Today~
Joshua Chapter 1
~Prayer For Today~
Hello Father! We ask Your guidance for the days and years ahead. It is past time that we build a trust relationship with You. Complete and continuous trust. We have become accustomed to broken promises, over reaching behavior. Plans that don’t always include the welfare of our people. We pray for the courage of Joshua. That we can go, do and say what You would have us do in Your name. You have promised that You are with us, wherever we go. That moment has arrived for correction to all that we have let slip past us. We praise You. Forgive us for complacency and the sins of leaving You out of our present and our future. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
©2016 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.