A NEW LEADER

After Moses had died Joshua was called to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. He had to keep following and trusting God to lead the people into the future that God had planned for them.

How do we keep following Jesus, even when the future is unknown and uncertain?

How do we remain strong and brave following Jesus in the 21st century?

Let’s take a closer look at how Joshua put his faith in God’s promises.

JOSHUA IS CHOSEN

Moses had died and God had chosen Joshua to take over as leader of the Israelites.

“Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I’m giving to the People of Israel. I’m giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses”.

Joshua realised that an entire nation’s fate was upon his shoulders. They were entering a land that had a strong military presence. If he messed up, thousands could lose their lives. So Joshua was worried and also very afraid of what might happen in the future.

And God knew it. So he said to Joshua:

“In the same way I was with Moses, I’ll be with you. I won’t give up on you; I won’t leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul.

Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.” (Joshua 1:5,6,9 NRSV)

So Joshua put his faith in God’s promises and was indeed strong and brave.

Then Joshua gave orders to the people’s leaders: “Go through the camp and give this order to the people: ‘Pack your bags. In three days you will cross this Jordan River to enter and take the land God, your God, is giving you to possess.’”v 10-11

Yes, the land was still full of giants. The land was still shrouded by the unknown. The land still contained impenetrable enemy walls. But the promise of God remained true and with God’s help Joshua successfully led the Israelites into the Promised Land

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Describe someone you consider to be ‘strong and brave’ in following Jesus.

* What does it mean to be ‘strong’ as we keep following Jesus in 21st-century culture?

* What does it mean to be ‘brave’ as we keep following Jesus in 21st-century culture?

* What battles might we have to face and win in our own lives in order to keep following?

* Moses had died, but Joshua was called to continue following into a new future. What disappointments/hurts/failures may you need to leave behind as you seek to continue to follow Jesus forward into your future?

Here is the song he speaks about

ONLY THE BRAVE

FINAL THOUGHT

Joshua had understood that the God had who promised the land to the Israelites would be faithful to fulfil that promise. And He was.

It’s the same today – no matter what happens in our lives tomorrow or the next day or next month, God promises that He will be with us. And whatever He calls us to do, He will never leave us to do it alone. As God was faithful then, He is faithful now.

Jesus’ last words to his disciples were – ‘I am with you always, to the end of the age’ (Matthew 28:20 NRSV). That means that we will never, ever be alone, no matter what happens. Therefore we can, with great confidence, trust our future to a God who has good plans for our lives.