We all struggle when we lose loved ones and trusted leaders with whom we have shared life. It’s never easy to pick up the pieces of our emotions or seek to heal the empty places these important people have left in our hearts. But, our passage today reminds us God knew how to continue flowing his love into Israel when Moses died and God knows how to keep us going when we, too, must adjust to loss of any kind.
With Joshua at his side, Moses has been leading the Israelites in their relationship with God based on the Law. Suddenly, God chooses to take Moses home and Joshua is left to lead Israel. It is huge loss for God’s people and a great challenge before Joshua, but God is leading him forward and giving him direction. Joshua will lead God’s people across the Jordan River and into Canaan.
God is always ready to give each one of us new direction with a new commission. He is growing us deeper by grace and our faith must become active and moving forward to keep up. Many times, that new direction comes in the midst of some kind of loss.
God spoke to Joshua, “No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses” (Joshua 1:5). That was enough to comfort Joshua. No other human being could have made that promise or convinced Joshua to take up his commission. Only God.
Sometimes, we wait for only God to do the impossible or to heal what we cannot fix. That is not a place of weakness; rather, it is a place of breakthrough and strength. So, whatever you need God to do as he leads your life, just trust him, because he makes the same promise to you and me. Immanuel—God with us!
Joshua 1:1-9 NLT The Lord’s Charge to Joshua
1 After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3 I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— 4 from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea[a] in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.
6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your promise to heal our broken hearts, mend our wounded emotions, heal our weakened faith, and continue to lead us into your spiritual blessings. Like Joshua, your Word to our hearts is what we need to hear and to trust. Help us to be strong and courageous in Christ, no matter what we face. Make us more than conquerors. We want to lay hold of all you have planned and purposed for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.