Day 11: I trust You, Lord. You are with me wherever I go. Joshua 1:9
Reading Joshua 1:9 makes you think of your shadow. As long as the sun is out, your shadow will be with you wherever you go. When the sun is gone, any light cast on you will cause your shadow to return. You see, in darkness, there is no shadow. It is not with you. The same is true regarding the Almighty. When you are in darkness, He can cannot be with you. But once you turn on the Light, He is there, always.
In the first book of Joshua, The Lord is speaking directly to Joshua. Moses has passed on and God is confirming the covenant made with Moses to Joshua. The ‘staying in the Light’ example referenced earlier can be read in verses 7 and 8:
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:7-8 (KJV)
God told Joshua not to turn to the right nor the left. Stay in the Light. He told him to meditate on the ‘word’ and the Light will shine on him, making his way prosperous with good success. Don’t these words sound like the light example in the opening? "Stay in the Light, Joshua. Don’t turn left or right, Joshua. Stay in the Light." If Joshua stays in the Light, God will never leave his side.
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9 (KJV)
“Joshua,” God says, “stay with me. Be strong. Be courageous. I’ll never leave your side. I will be closer than a shadow. Stay in the Light, which is my word. Stay with me, Joshua.”
But notice another thing in these first verses of Joshua. How many times was Joshua told to be courageous and strong? Count them. God often speaks once and sometimes twice. Within four verses (or statements), God told Joshua three times to be strong and courageous. Do you not think this is important?
You see, God knew the Israelites' hearts. He also knew what was to come once they crossed the Jordan to possess the land promised. He knew (knows) that when faced with adversity, people will often leave the Light for darkness because of fear. So He gave Joshua not only a ‘verily, verily’ moment, but a ‘verily, verily, verily’ moment. He wanted to be sure Joshua understood how important it was to be strong and courageous.
This trust walk is not easy for some, but it’s guaranteed that if you will stay in the Light, He will stay with you. He will never leave your side. Be courageous in the midst of your enemies. Stand strong in the presence of strife. The Almighty, the One True God, has promised that he is there with you, ‘whithersoever thou goest.’
Trust Him. He won’t lead you wrong.
Rekindled,
Keiyia JOYet George
Trust Walk: Walking in His Steps coming soon!