After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD , the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them-to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates-all the Hittite country-to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand up 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.
"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 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. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; 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. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1: 1-9
Imagine you’ve just been handed the leadership over a million people. Now you’re about to go start a war with 10 other nations, and you have no idea what you’re doing. No pressure, right? No wonder God gave this advice to young Joshua: Don’t fear!
Since we’re being asked to do something we can’t do on our own, having faith and moving forward are always accompanied by at least some fear. But we can never let fear keep us from being faithful. This is courage: Choosing to obey even when we’re uncertain. Following Christ demands courage even if you have a little less responsibility than Joshua did. No one said this would be easy, but God promises to be with us every step of the way.
God gives Joshua two commands and a promise in this passage. What are they?
How are you obeying these same commands that were given to Joshua?
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