Written by Pastor Jack Wellman-Joshua 1:9
We Have His Strength
Since the Apostle Paul says that we “can do all things through Christ Who will strengthen us,” (Phil 4:13), we must accept the opposite of this statement as true, which means that we can’t do anything without Christ or in our own strength. And this is just what Jesus said to His disciples where He told them, “apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5), and nothing is not a little something; it is nothing! Focus on Christ and His strength, or you too (like me) can do nothing, but with Him, we can do all things that are in His will (Phil 4:11).
We Have His Reassurance
What comforting words God gives to Joshua and he needed them too because Moses was gone and now it was up to Joshua to lead Israel over into the Promised Land. What greater reassurance is there when God tells Joshua that He is going with Him, “wherever you go,” and that isn’t just a promise for Joshua because in the Book of Hebrews, God also says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb 13:5). If He tells us that He’s never going to leave us or forsake us, He means there will never be a time where He does leave us or forsake us…even when we forsake Him for a time.
We Have His Encouragement
Joshua had God’s blessing on him, but more than that, God gave him the encouragement that there would never be a time when He would not be with him, so that’s why God said he should “Be strong and courageous.” If God is for you, then who or what could ever come against you (Rom 8:31)? The obvious answer is no one, because there is no equal before God, and if God is for you, there is no reason to be dismayed or frightened.
We Have His Presence
Just before Jesus went back to the Father, He told His disciples that He would be with them by telling them, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt 28:20), but they will also receive God’s “power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit did come with great power on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-12), so in this sense, God is with them, and with you too, even if it doesn’t feel like it.
Conclusion
God has not changed. What He’s promised before cannot change for He is always faithful to His Word, so take heart, and pray for His strength; God goes with you wherever you go; know that He is for you and not against you; and realize that He is with you….even to the end of this age.
