The Great Comforter
Joshua was a guy who had big shoes to fill. He was the successor to Moses and he had to lead over a million people on foot into the promised land. If anyone needed encouragement or comfort, it was this guy. Take a look at Joshua 1 today and we’ll focus on verses 6-9 below.
“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.
Have you ever been afraid to do something because you did not know what was going to happen when you did it? For example, if you find out that you are going to have to move to a new area, you could have some apprehensions. It does not matter if it is just a few blocks or hundreds of miles away. There can be a lot of fear involved. You are going to have to make new friends when you are suddenly yanked from your comfortable circle. You might have to go to a new school. This can be especially difficult if you have never done it before. You will probably wonder, “Will they accept me? Will I like the teacher? Will anyone want to become friends with me?” All these things could be spinning through your head which brings about fear.
The Lord gives us comfort about this. He says in Joshua 1:9, “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.” This passage can give us more confidence to face the unexpected, because whatever happens, He will be with us and listen to our troubles. He will make sure that nothing happens to us that we cannot handle. Even though we may think we can’t, God will help us out if we ask.
Joshua was to be the next leader of Israel in this chapter. He had the important task of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land after 40 years. He did not know the dangers which lay ahead of him or what type of people he would encounter. He only knew they were heathen. He was probably afraid and possibly doubted whether or not he could handle it. God told him and us, “Be courageous.”
Points To Ponder: In what ways is Joshua like us? How can we take comfort in this?
Prayer Possibilities: Thank God for this promise of comfort. If you are struggling with the unknown, tell God about it.
