Praise God for His faithfulness that He has blessed us with another brand new week in our lives. God has been good to us so far and we can be sure that He will continue to be good to us for the rest of our life ahead. God is the One who called us and He is faithful in keeping us safe and secure even while trials and temptations threaten our righteous living (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Joshua son of Nun, the newly appointed leader for the people of Israel, also had a wonderful testimony to share with us about God’s faithfulness in his personal life as well as in the lives of the people of Israel (Joshua 21:45; 24:15b). Prior to Moses’ death, upon God’s command, Moses took Joshua and anointed him to be the leader for the people of Israel (Numbers 27:18-23; Deuteronomy 31:7-8; Joshua 1:1-9). Joshua was called to lead the Israelites from the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho into the land God promised to their forefathers, and divide the land among the Israelite tribes (Deuteronomy 31:7-8; Joshua 14:1). Throughout the journey from Egypt to Canaan, God had been preparing Joshua for the ministry he was called to carry out. Joshua, who was Moses’ aide until the death of Moses (Joshua 1:1), personally experienced the way God displayed His faithfulness to the children of Israel. In the early days of their journey from Egypt to Canaan, Joshua (the name Joshua means “Yahweh is Salvation”) was assigned to fight against the Amalekites, who initiated a war against the Israelites, and he defeated them at Rephidim (Exodus 17:8-16). After the death of Moses, Joshua took up the responsibility of leading the children of Israel into the promised land. Up until that time, he was serving under Moses’ guidance but now Moses is no more and the entire Israelite community is under his care. Humanly thinking, it is a scary situation – new responsibilities, wavering leadership, uncertain circumstances, unfamiliar challenges, unknown territories, strong enemies, and nothing is under control. Joshua knew that almost everything is against him at the moment and there is no surety of anything. From his past experience, he knew without God’s help he cannot do anything for anybody – he can neither save himself nor his family nor the people of Israel. Therefore, he believed and trusted the Lord God Almighty.

God had been faithful to His people Israel throughout their journey from Egypt to Canaan. He was their provider and protector day and night even though they rebelled against Him and disobeyed His laws and commands, and distrusted Him and His anointed leader Moses since they started their journey from Egypt to Canaan. Remember, none of the Israelites who started their journey from Egypt to Canaan (who were twenty years and above) entered the promised land, except for Joshua and Caleb, because of the Israelites’ sin and rebellion against their Lord God (Numbers 32:11-12). Think about Moses who was faithful as a servant in all God’s house (Numbers 12:3, 7; Hebrews 3:5), even he was prohibited from entering the promised land (Numbers 20:12; Deuteronomy 31:2; Psalm 106:32-33). Yet, the Lord God Almighty, being the Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and compassionate God, extended His loving kindness towards the new generation of Israelites. God promised that His presence would be with Joshua, the newly chosen leader of the Israelites, in the same way He was with Moses His servant (Joshua 1:5b). When we read Joshua 1:7-9 (mentioned above), we can understand that the Lord God promises Joshua and the people of Israel that His presence would go with them (refer Joshua 1:1-9 in order to get the context of the passage). Below mentioned are God’s commands, counsel, and promises to Joshua (based on Joshua 1:7-9) as he led the people of Israel into the land God promised to their forefathers:

• • Be strong (1:7a, 9b)
  • Be very courageous (1:7b, 9c)
  • Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you (1:7c)
  • Be careful not to turn from the law to the right or to the left (1:7d)
  • Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips (1:8a)
  • Meditate on it day and night (1:8b)
  • Be careful to do everything written in it (1:8c)
  • The authority in God’s commands [Have I not commanded you?] (1:9a)
  • Do not be afraid (1:9d)
  • Do not be discouraged (1:9e)
  • You may be successful wherever you go (1:7e)
  • You will be prosperous and successful (1:8d)
  • The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (1:9d)

Joshua obeyed and followed the Lord God Almighty faithfully and served Him wholeheartedly throughout his life. Not only Joshua, but even his family served the Lord faithfully (Joshua 24:15). We read in the Scripture that Joshua did everything God commanded him to do, as it is written: As the Lord commanded his servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua, and Joshua did it; he left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses (Joshua 11:15). Thus, with the help of God, Joshua was able to defeat the enemy kingdoms, conquer the promised land, and distribute among the Israelite tribes according to the Word of God spoken through His servant Moses.

43 So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. 44 The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. 45 Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled (Joshua 21:43-45).

During the Old Testament time, God chose the children of Israel as His own people and added them into the family of God (Deuteronomy 7:6). Today, we, the church, are adopted into the family of God through Christ Jesus, as Apostle Paul stated: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:3-5). Apostle Paul stated again elsewhere that I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name (Ephesians 3:14-15). Since we are chosen to be God’s children, along with the house of Israel, we are also entitled to receive all the blessings God has promised in the Scripture. God is faithful to fulfill all His promises, as the Psalmist stated: The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made (Psalm 145:13). Joshua personally experienced God’s faithfulness in his life and testified that Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled (Joshua 21:45; 23:14). Apostle Paul said: For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God (2 Corinthians 1:20).

There might be challenging situations which arise during our spiritual journey, but we must stay strong during such times. We will not be able to overcome the trials and tests that set blockade in our way with our own ability or power but if we trust in the Lord, He will not let us down. Psalm 55:22 states, Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. King David personally experience God’s presence, protection and provision in his life – he boldly declared: The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid (Psalm 27:1). Apostle Paul wrote: No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13). Therefore, we need to take God on our side and serve Him faithfully. Let us conclude here by reading king David’s testimony about the importance of having God on our side:

If the Lord had not been on our side—let Israel say—

if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us,

they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us;

the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us,

the raging waters would have swept us away (Psalm 124:1-5).