Devotion:
Read Joshua 1:1-5.
We first meet Joshua in Numbers 13:7, as he was chosen to be one of the 12 explorers (or “spies” in some translations) of the land of Canaan which God had promised to give to the Israelite people. The land of Canaan today encompasses Israel, Gaza, Jordan and the southern portions of Syria and Lebanon, and continues up to the southern border of Turkey.
Of the 12 explorers, Joshua and Caleb were the only two who believed with God’s help, they could inhabit the land. The Israelite people who had been landless for nearly five hundred years, (400 years in slavery in Egypt) could finally reach the land which God had promised them.
Joshua 1 is known as the “Commissioning of Joshua”. God was commissioning him to lead the people into the Promised Land. (See also Deuteronomy 31:23). The second part of verse 5 is our focus for today and this week, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” This is repeated in verse 9. This is a golden thread of truth which is woven throughout all of the scriptures. God is with us as we go.
This meant for Moses and Joshua that they would have God’s promise of leading, strength, courage, hope, and peace. God would be leading them and would enable them to overcome any obstacles along the way. Within this is also God’s instruction to obey all the law which Moses had given to them. They are to meditate on it day and night.
God was faithful in keeping the covenant of being present with Joshua and the people, but the people were not always faithful in keeping their part of the covenant. Joshua had to continually remind the people to keep their part of the covenant and remain faithful to obeying the law which Moses had given to them. Joshua lived to be 110 years old.
Personal Worship Option:
Where is God leading you today? God will be with you every step of the way. God will never leave you nor forsake you. This is great news of encouragement and strength for our souls.
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