David Troxler
Joshua 1:1-9
It is a new year on the calendar. It is all new territory, uncharted, unknown. Those can be some of the most daunting challenges in life, to go into uncharted waters in our lives.
What can be even more troubling, is that person on whom you relied is no longer there to go with you. Sometimes, people move away, or they pass on into eternity.
For Joshua, he no longer had Moses to go with him. No longer was Moses there to disciple him and challenge him in his faith. Joshua’s uncharted territory was more than just going into Canaan, the place of promise for all Israel. He was going there without his mentor.
One of the most special things about the book of Joshua however is this, right at the beginning of the book, we read that God promises to be with Joshua, just as he had been with Moses. The new journey begins with an unqualified assurance of the presence of our holy God.
The presence of God goes with all who follow the Lord’s commands. In fact, the success of our journey is measured not by the distance we travel, nor by the arrival at the destination, but by the presence of God on the journey.
Joshua’s leadership began with these words, “Moses is dead.” Not even Moses entered the Promised Land. Still, God was with him on the journey. That is the guarantee of the success in life.
What new territory is before you in Anno Domini 2015? Just remember, the phrase “Anno Domini” means “the year of our Lord.” He is already here with us in this new year!
John Wesley would say, “Best of all, God is with us.”
One last thing the Lord told Joshua was to “be strong and courageous.” Being strong and courageous is not something we all naturally possess. The difference is now, and was true for Joshua as well is this, God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. In him we are strong. Take courage as you enter your new territory.
And Jesus came and said to them,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.
And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.
And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
- Matt. 28:18-20
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