Day 2: Joshua 1:1-9
As the book of Joshua begins, we pick up a story that is much bigger than just one book!
It’s a story of rescue, redemption and restoration.
A story of God’s purpose for the nation of Israel, that we can often learn from, regarding God’s purposes for our lives.
If you’ve not read it yet, why don’t you read today’s passage: Joshua 1: 1-9
Verse 2 tells us God’s instruction to Joshua, the newly appointed leader for the nation of Israel.
“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them, to the Israelites.”
The nation of Israel were not just coming out of a season of grieving, but also a season of wandering. Under the leadership of Moses the nation had made a dramatic escape from Egypt and experienced some amazing miracles in the process. However they then entered a period of wandering. A time when they were moving, but not moving forward!
Their time in the desert reminds me (in a completely opposite way to the dry desert heat) of learning to swim in Primary school!
The skill that I found hardest to master was treading water!
The idea of treading water is movement, without momentum.
It’s activity, without going ever anywhere!
That’s just what happened to Israel.
They wandered the desert for 40 years, when the journey could have taken just a matter of days.
Although our circumstances are different, I think we can certainly all agree that the past few months have had some similarities to this!
There were moments in the lock down months that felt like they might last forever – that this isolation might become indefinite.
But just like the nation of Israel in this chapter, something new was coming!
God was about to propel them into a new season. So he told them to get ready, to prepare!
I don’t know what that preparation looks like for you today.
Maybe it’s preparing to leave the house on a more regular basis.
For others it’s a spiritual preparation, achieved by spending more time in prayer, or in the Bible.
Perhaps it’s preparing your home, ready to now be able to have another household round for a meal etc.
To match the instruction of preparation, God also gives Israel (and us) a great promise.
Verse 5:
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.
The promise of God’s presence should always give us a confidence, strength and security.
Whatever you face, you’re not alone.
Whatever you go through, He’s with you.
However you’re feeling right now, God is by your side.
Be strong and courageous, there’s an exciting journey ahead!
Ps Ben Dowding
Senior Pastor