The opening chapter of Joshua is so rich with truths. Four times in Joshua 1 God reminds Joshua to be strong and courageous. This was after Moses telling Joshua the same thing twice in Deuteronomy. [Joshua 1:6, 7, 9, 18; Deuteronomy 31:7, 23]
The reason Joshua could be strong and courageous was because God promised to be with him wherever He went as He took the Promised Land.
The reason Joshua would need to be strong and courageous is found in Chapter 1:16-17 when the people responded. “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go. We will obey you, just as we obeyed Moses in everything.” [HCSB]
The people’s response to Joshua always makes me laugh. It must have made Joshua cringe remembering how not-so-great they were at obeying Moses.
Joshua had been given a difficult task. He had to take over for a powerful leader, Moses. And the people who were to take the Promised Land were the children of those who had participated in the Exodus from Egypt. While young and strong, they had not seen the marvelous miracle working power of God in the plagues or the parting of the Red Sea.
The task in front of Joshua was enormous, but God reminded Joshua that He would be with Him just as He was with Moses. That would be enough for Joshua.
The task before us is often enormous, but Jesus reminded us that He would be with us even to the end of the age. That is enough for us. [Matthew 28:20]
