Bible Verse: “‘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. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors 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. 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. 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.’” Joshua 1:5-9
Scripture Reading: Joshua 1:1-18
This week, we will walk through the book of Joshua.
Joshua seems to get relegated to the “farm team” of biblical figures.
At the least, he’s not really talked about with the likes of Moses, Abraham, David, Peter, or Paul.
His name doesn’t often get mentioned in the list of heroes of the faith. Even when Hebrews chapter 11 mentions the events during Joshua’s lifetime, it doesn’t bother to mention his name (see Hebrews 11:29-30).
But Joshua got the call. He was going from farm team to 1st line center in the bigs.
Joshua had some big shoes to fill. He was tapped to lead Israel after Moses died. He needed to lead people who had just spent the last four decades wandering in the wilderness. It’s no wonder God tells Joshua three times to be “strong and (very) courageous.”
It’s easy to relate to Joshua’s fear. Don’t be fooled—that’s the reason God tells him to be strong and courageous: Joshua was afraid. As men, we are often expected to fill shoes that we don’t feel qualified or equipped to wear. We can feel the pressure to lead in families, churches, workplaces, and even friend groups. Attempting to lead, either by position or example, can be terrifying, and that fear can be paralyzing.
How can I do a good job at this?
Joshua was probably asking the same question: How can I do what Moses failed to do?
Fortunately, God’s encouragement/command to be strong and courageous doesn’t come without a foundation. God brackets His bolstering of Joshua with a repeated promise to be with him. There cannot be much more confidence-building than a promise of support from the God who has miraculously walked with you through 40 years in the wilderness.
God’s specific promise was to Joshua, but the same God walks with us and has promised, in Christ, to be with His followers through the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).
No matter where God has placed us to lead and no matter how inadequate we feel, we know that God will be with us. Step into your leadership with confidence.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for the promise to be with us wherever our journeys take us. Help me today to step into leadership as much as you have called me to do. Help me to lead and serve like Jesus. Amen.
Reflection: Are there any areas of your life where you are afraid to step forward into a new role? How can you rely on God’s presence to boost your confidence?
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