Joshua served as assistant to Moses for many years. I wonder if Joshua felt an incredible weight of expectation from the nation, knowing he could never fill the sandals of Moses--yet at the same time knowing God was not asking him to. We do not read of Joshua recoiling from the task as Moses did at the first when met by God in the burning bush, but God was gracious to speak to Joshua as well.
The book of Joshua begins with God speaking to Joshua shortly after the death of Moses. This unsolicited revelation of God was filled with promises and encouraging words Joshua needed to hear. Isn't it comforting at times God speaks to us even when we haven't asked Him a specific question? The amazing thing about the words of God is the truth of them transcends people and time. Because God does not change and His word will endure forever, we can take to heart the promises God has made in the past and rely on Him to fulfill them presently. The statements of God specifically made (for instance the land God was giving Israel as an inheritance) may not directly apply to our personal situations, but the timeless reality of God's promise remains.
God addressed Joshua in Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." God spoke to Joshua and He has spoken to us in these last days through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3) who will never leave or forsake us. Using modern technology we can converse with people all over the planet without lifting our voice, but it is another thing to be with them in person. God exhorted Joshua to be strong and of good courage because He was with him wherever he would go. Knowing the presence of God was with him kept Joshua from being fearful, hopeless, or broken down under the difficulty of circumstances, the ferocity of their enemies, and unrealistic expectations of people.
Because God commanded Joshua he could rest in God's will. He could be strong and bold knowing God was with Him. In our weakness God's strength is made perfect. A good example of this is seen during the interaction of the apostles with the chief priests when they were arrested for healing a lame man and teaching in the name of Jesus. They marveled at the boldness of these uneducated men, realising they had been with Jesus. What they did not understand was Jesus was still with them because they were in Christ by faith, filled with the Holy Spirit who regenerated and indwelt them. God was with them so they spoke courageously whether to a wondering multitude or bloodthirsty religious rulers. Knowing the LORD is with us wherever we go keeps us from fear and girds us with strength and courage for the glory of God.
The book of Joshua begins with God speaking to Joshua shortly after the death of Moses. This unsolicited revelation of God was filled with promises and encouraging words Joshua needed to hear. Isn't it comforting at times God speaks to us even when we haven't asked Him a specific question? The amazing thing about the words of God is the truth of them transcends people and time. Because God does not change and His word will endure forever, we can take to heart the promises God has made in the past and rely on Him to fulfill them presently. The statements of God specifically made (for instance the land God was giving Israel as an inheritance) may not directly apply to our personal situations, but the timeless reality of God's promise remains.
God addressed Joshua in Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." God spoke to Joshua and He has spoken to us in these last days through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3) who will never leave or forsake us. Using modern technology we can converse with people all over the planet without lifting our voice, but it is another thing to be with them in person. God exhorted Joshua to be strong and of good courage because He was with him wherever he would go. Knowing the presence of God was with him kept Joshua from being fearful, hopeless, or broken down under the difficulty of circumstances, the ferocity of their enemies, and unrealistic expectations of people.
Because God commanded Joshua he could rest in God's will. He could be strong and bold knowing God was with Him. In our weakness God's strength is made perfect. A good example of this is seen during the interaction of the apostles with the chief priests when they were arrested for healing a lame man and teaching in the name of Jesus. They marveled at the boldness of these uneducated men, realising they had been with Jesus. What they did not understand was Jesus was still with them because they were in Christ by faith, filled with the Holy Spirit who regenerated and indwelt them. God was with them so they spoke courageously whether to a wondering multitude or bloodthirsty religious rulers. Knowing the LORD is with us wherever we go keeps us from fear and girds us with strength and courage for the glory of God.
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