Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you, be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
After leading the Israelite’s out of Egypt and wandering in the desert for 40 years Moses has died and now God makes a promise to the people and to their new leader Joshua:
I will be with you wherever you go!
It took 40 years to expose sin, deal with unfaithfulness, refocus loyalty and cement leadership. And then one day God said it’s GO time.
- It’s a transition from the known to the unknown.
- From the comforts of familiarity to the facing of giants.
- From a proven leader to his assistant.
- From being together as one group to being separated by tribe.
- From everything shared to being parceled out.
It was probably terrifying.
We go through transition times as well don’t we?
Waiting for something new. Stages in life. Jobs. Relationships. An unsteady wobbly place of uncertainty that doesn’t feel like success, it feels like failure.
In 2012 we were in a place like that.
We had transitioned out of farming but didn’t know what was next. And because the next thing wasn’t happening quickly enough we thought the Lord could use a hand in sorting out the details.
So we started pursuing many ideas, making phone calls and researching different options. We were working hard to bring about the Lord’s will. Our thoughts and conversations were consumed with the pursuit of finding the next thing God had in store for us.
Sounds good right?
Then one day we were on the phone getting some info about another business venture we were tracking down and the woman we were speaking to said:
“You need to stop. I was praying earlier and felt someone was going to call today that needed to hear that. You need to stop all of your searching and wait for God’s timing. Just rest, he’ll take care of you.”
That afternoon we sat at our kitchen table and wept together. We’d been challenged prior to that day to have faith and to trust but we had become impatient. We needed a reminder and God used a total stranger to get us back on track.
Speaking of reminders, isn’t it interesting that Joshua 1:9 is not the only time this command is given? In fact we find the same words back in Deuteronomy 31 four times! In Joshua 1:5-6 we see them again and vs 7 another time. Finally we see the wrap up in vs 9 where, for the first time the Lord says “Have I not commanded you…”
Have I not commanded you?
Oh Lord, thank you for your patience with us! Thank you for never giving up on us even when our hearts fail us and we need a another reminder.
Can I encourage you dear friend? The in between in your life, the transition you’re experiencing is only a season. The Lord is using it to develop perseverance and hone your faith. It will make you super aware and hyper vigilant about protecting your heart against rebellion and fear and striking out on your own like the Israelite’s did.
And because he is a God of all hope, he gives us the tools needed when he finally says it’s go time:
#1: Be strong
He gives us strength.
If God is transitioning you, I want you to know there are better things ahead. Notice I didn’t say easier things. Being in the will of God doesn’t always equal easy but it does equal blessing!
Remember how he cared for you while you waited and be strong knowing he will go forward with you!
#2: Be courageous
He fills us with courage.
I love Hebrews 12:1 which says “Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Don’t you love those words throw off? It’s like playing piggy-back with our sins. You can’t just jump around and hope they fall off, you have to grab hold of them and throw them down!
This great cloud of witnesses is a testimony to perseverance! We need to wait for the revelation of God’s plan…because there.is.a.plan.
What is the plan? Hebrews calls it the race marked out for us. It’s already marked out, it’s already decided so courageously face each day with the assurance that the Lord knows what he’s doing.
#3: Do not be terrified
He increases our faith.
There are at least 365 verses in the Bible that specifically tell us not to be afraid! Do you think we have a problem? Yup!
Fear is a sin of faithlessness.
This is not some weak recommendation. No, this is a very strong command: Do not be terrified because wherever you go and whatever situation you find yourself in, the Lord your God will be right there with you. Trust in him!
#4: Do not be discouraged
He makes us bold.
Transitioning into something new is difficult! It’s easy to get discouraged because not everyone understands what God is doing in our lives. Our families might not get it and our friends might worry that we’ve become a little overly religious. Let’s use our situation as an opportunity to share with others what God is teaching you.
Don’t let doubts derail you or scoffers sidetrack you. Stay focused and patient, keeping in mind that the Lord your God is with you every step of the way!
So what is the secret sauce to a successful transition?
Joshua’s success in taking the children of Israel into the Promised Land had only one key ingredient, a secret sauce.
Joshua 1:8 tells us what that secret is. The Lord tells Joshua that if he meditates on the Book of the Law day and night and is careful to do what it says he will have success! Not success in his own plans, but in success in implementing God’s plan.
Do you see the secret? It’s the slowing down and meditating that transforms us. Our eyes are open to fresh insight. Our hearts become uncluttered. We throw off the heavy weight of doing things in our own strength and the sin of self melts under the tears of a penitent heart.
Psalm 119:105 says “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (ESV)
The word of God is the secret sauce to a successful season of transition. It’s your courage and strength in all of your in-between times. It’s fresh faith and a new boldness in all of your waiting. It’s the secret to success in every next step you are taking.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified and do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.