Life can become so busy that we neglect the very one Who can help us navigate everything we are facing. God is there to help us, but we have to take the time to ask and listen to His instructions. I believe Moses had the kind of relationship we need to pursue with God.
I love to read the dialog between God and Moses in Exodus chapter 32. I would encourage you to read the story. Moses had led the Israelites through many situations with God’s instructions. He and God had negotiated with each other often. Sometimes Moses would get upset at the people and asked God to destroy them. Other times, God would get upset with the Israelites and wanted to destroy them, and Moses would intercede.
But now the time of Moses’ passing came (Deut. 34), and his leadership was passed to Joshua. The very first instructions God gave Joshua is found in Joshua 1:1–9 (NKJV).
“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: ‘Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.
“From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
As you look to God and heed His instructions, know that He is there for you. He will not leave or forsake you.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
I can only imagine what was going through Joshua’s mind. I am sure he felt overwhelmed after being assigned to such a massive job. And yet what a comfort when God assured Joshua that He would be with him—that He would not leave him or forsake him.
You may be going through a difficult time right now. You may be faced with daunting circumstances or have been given an assignment you do not feel you have the ability to carry out. As you look to God and heed His instructions, know that He is there for you. He will not leave or forsake you. He is telling you just as He told Joshua, “Be strong and of good courage.”
In my life’s experiences and assignments, God has given me many tasks that I argued with Him about. One time Moses said to God, “I am not eloquent in speech. Use someone else” (Exod. 4:10, 13). I said the same thing, and God referred me to what has become my signature scripture, Philippians 4:13 (NKJV). “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
And so once again, I brought my petition to God. I said, “Lord, if that is what you want me to do, then you must give me the words to say. And I must feel your presence.”
I want you to realize that God is always there for you. He wants you to be successful and prosperous. Just as God gave Joshua keys, He has given the same instructions to us. Read and meditate on the Word of God, and obey its instructions.
As the summer has ended and we get back into a normal routine, I encourage you to make reading the Word of God and communing with Him through prayer a priority in your daily life.
Author
Lynette Hagin
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