Joshua 1:1-5: a reflection

1Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, 2“Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go across this Jordan, you and all these people, to the land which I am giving to them, even to the children of Israel. 3I have given you every place that the sole of your foot will tread on, as I told Moses. 4From the wilderness and this Lebanon even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border. 5No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you nor forsake you.

Moses, the great leader, has died, and Israel faces a daunting transition and an even more daunting task: to enter and take the promised land. Into this uncertain moment God speaks to Joshua, Moses' assistant, now called to lead. Moses my servant is dead, God says; now arise, cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land I am giving them. The command to move forward comes with a promise of God's presence to make it possible.

The heart of God's word to Joshua is reassurance grounded in his own faithfulness. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life, God says; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. And then the promise that has strengthened countless believers since: I will not fail you nor forsake you. Joshua was not sent to face this huge task alone or in his own strength. The God who had been with Moses would be just as present with him.

You may face your own daunting transitions and tasks, a new responsibility, a role someone else has left, a challenge that feels too big. God's word to Joshua is his word to you: arise and go forward, for I will not fail you nor forsake you. You are not called to face what lies ahead in your own strength or alone. The same God who has been faithful before goes with you now. When the task seems overwhelming and the way uncertain, take courage from this promise, and step forward with the God who does not forsake his own.

Lord, when Moses died and Joshua faced a daunting task, you commanded him to go forward and promised, I will not fail you nor forsake you. Speak that same word to me as I face my own transitions and challenges. Remind me that I do not go in my own strength or alone. The God who has been faithful before goes with me now. Give me courage to arise and go forward, trusting that you will not forsake me. Amen.