"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."¹

Imagine the weight on Joshua's shoulders. For decades, he had served under Moses, who is widely considered a great leader in biblical tradition. Now, Moses was gone, and the mantle of leading a stubborn, wandering nation into a land filled with daunting enemies fell on Joshua's shoulders. It was a daunting task, filled with uncertainty and the immense pressure of living up to his predecessor. Yet, the words God gave to Joshua in chapter 1 are a powerful testament to His understanding of the challenges of new leadership.

God did not minimize the task, He acknowledged its difficulty. More importantly, He offered an unwavering promise: "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you." This was not a promise of an easy journey, but a guarantee of divine presence and steadfast support. Joshua would not be leading in his own strength, but through faithfulness to God. He had witnessed God's faithfulness countless times with Moses, and now he was called to demonstrate the same himself. This assurance empowered him to step forward, even when the path ahead was unclear.

Just like Joshua, we often face moments of significant change and increased responsibility. Whether in a new role at work, a shift in family dynamics, or a call to serve in a new capacity, the transition can feel overwhelming. We might question our abilities, fear failure, or wonder if we can truly fill the shoes of those who came before us. However, the story of Joshua reminds us that true leadership is not about our inherent strength or experience, but about the presence of God and His power working through us. Lastly, before one can lead, one must be willing to serve.

Suggested Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness and for the examples of leadership You give us in the Scriptures. When we face new responsibilities and daunting challenges, help us to remember Your promise to be with us, just as You were with Joshua and the Israelites then. Grant us the courage to step forward in faith, trusting in Your strength rather than our own. Equip us, guide us to lead according to Your will. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

1.    Joshua 1:5.

Today’s Encounter was written by: Diego B.

All articles on this website are written by
Richard (Dick) Innes unless otherwise stated.