Its time to MOVE – God is near…

By Sodwana Bay

Get Ready to Move

God said to Joshua: ‘Moses my servant is dead. Now get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give [you]. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand up 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.

Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them’ (vv. 2-6).

When his time came to lead, Joshua was ready. Until then, he faithfully served Moses and found fulfilment in the number-two slot. He didn’t push and he didn’t play politics; he just prepared himself. And when he was ready, God promoted him.

He went further than his mentor did. Moses’ leadership ended where the Promised Land began. Under Joshua’s leadership, Israel would move into it and become a great nation. Every day he had spent in the wilderness equipped him for this moment.

God told Joshua:

‘I will give you every place where you set your foot.’

Step out in faith and claim it. It’s yours, if you’re willing to walk towards it and take possession.

‘No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life’ (v. 5).

Will you face criticism? Will you come under attack? Yes.

But every battle you fight is just an opportunity for God to show Himself strong on your behalf.

‘As I was with Moses, so I will be with you’ (v. 5).

If you’re anxious about the future, recall God’s faithfulness to you in the past.

At the end of his life Joshua wrote: ‘Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled.’ (Joshua 23:14).

Are you standing today at the crossroads of change, contemplating a new season and feeling anxious about it?

God never wastes experience. Everything you’ve been through, including the things you didn’t understand, are preparation for what God has in store for you…

If you’ve ever packed up and moved to another house, you may remember saying, ‘This is the last time I’m moving!’

‘Be strong and very courageous’ (Joshua 1:7).

Why? Because Joshua’s enemies were going to attack him and his own people were going to make endless demands on him.

Where do you find courage?

‘The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?’

You are held in the safety of God’s strong arms. Nothing can get to you, without first coming through Him.

‘Have courage for the great sorrows of life, and patience for the small ones. And when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.’ ~Victor Hugo