No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Joshua 1:5
Joshua probably remembered the promise given to Moses in Exodus 33:14,
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
And he probably remembered Moses’ response in verse 15,
Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”
I am guessing when Joshua heard these words from the Lord in Joshua 1:5, it reinforced what He had already seen, heard, and believed. These words deepened His trust in God’s presence and promises.
Are there any more comforting words to hear from our good God than, “I will be with you. I will never leave you or forsake you. No one will be able to stand against you…”?
When I rest my heart and mind in this truth, my soul can truly rest in God. Fears, doubts, worries, and all the other distractions and chaos of this world begin to slowly fade. This truth allows me to enter back into the Psalm 23 care of our Good Shepherd at any time.
But oftentimes this truth gets threatened. No doubt the enemy wants us to believe the opposite and will do anything and everything to isolate us. To make us feel unable or unworthy to meet the challenges in front of us. There will be times when it seems the whole world is standing against you. For me, it only takes one person that is intent on making sure I know they are against me to make me feel alone and threatened, unable and unworthy.
But thanks be to God for His truth! As we turn to His truth and are reminded of His promises, we can enter back into His rest. We are reminded that His presence is all we need, that His protection comes with His presence, and that His presence will never leave us or forsake us. Let us dwell together there, the Holy place of His presence and peace. Yes, please!
Reflection:
- Do you believe these promises to Moses and Joshua apply to you? Why or why not?
- How do you get back to the place of these truths when you find yourself believing otherwise?
- How would you describe to a friend what it is like to have the presence of the Lord with you always?
Pray through the truth of Psalm 27.
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?2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.6Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
