Deuteronomy 31:7-8

Moses said to Joshua: “Be strong and courageous!...Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Forty years before Moses spoke these words, Joshua had been one of twelve spies who had been sent into the promised land. Moses had asked them to make an assessment of Canaan and ten of the spies brought back an overwhelmingly negative report. They drew attention to the great height of the people who lived in the land and the size of their walls which, they claimed, even reached up to the sky! The people were, not surprisingly, thoroughly demoralised and concluded that the best thing to do would be to race back to slavery in Egypt. Only two of the spies brought a positive report - Joshua and Caleb. As a result, the people were condemned to 40 years in the desert and only Joshua and Caleb were eventually allowed to enter the promised land.

Although Joshua had 40 years to prepare for this moment, it was still a huge challenge. He needed considerable courage. Moses knew he was the right man to lead the people, but he also knew he couldn’t do it alone. He needed to know God had not only gone ahead of him, but would stay with him as he led the people into Canaan.

It's a wonderful privilege when we know what God wants us to do. Perhaps it is to teach children about God, work with the homeless, pastor a church or set up a business. Whatever it is, you will need courage. Every job that God gives us to do involves challenges. We may struggle to get all the people and resources we need. We will probably confront people who are negative about the work we are doing. In order to be strong for God, we, like Joshua, need to know that God has gone before us to prepare the way, and that he will be with us on every step of the journey.

Question - In what way does the knowledge of God’s presence with you give you courage?

Prayer - Lord God, thank you that when you give me a job you always go before me and stay right beside me. Give me courage as I serve you today. Amen