Big Shoes to Fill
Opening Prayer
Father, help me to trust that You are with me regardless of how difficult the obstacle before me.
Read Joshua 1:1-9
[1] After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: [2] “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. [3] I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. [4] Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates-all the Hittite country-to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. [5] No one will be able to stand 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. [6] Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. [7] “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. [8] Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; 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. [9] Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What is God calling Joshua to?Times of change often take real courage, for change is rarely easy and often costly. There isn’t time for Joshua to grieve for Moses as the Israelites need to be led (2). God challenges Joshua straightaway to step into the space that Moses has left and start the process of taking the land. God reminds Joshua that Moses only became the leader he was because God empowered him. Now God makes similar promises to Joshua: that he will give him the land (3,5), and that he will be with Joshua as he was with Moses. But the greatest challenge is for Joshua to believe and accept the call which God was placing upon him. Twice God encourages Joshua to be “strong and courageous” (6,9), and once “very courageous” (7). God cannot give the mantle to him if Joshua isn’t prepared to assume it. That requires great courage, and for him to set aside fear (9). All this is spoken by God to Joshua alone. He needs all this assurance for he’s being asked to succeed where Moses failed.
Apply
Write a list of the ways in which you feel God has encouraged you to “be strong and courageous.”
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