Joshua 1:2-4,5 (NLT) --- "Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. I promise you what I promised Moses: 'Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you—… No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.
This is a tough day for God's people. They had been wondering in the wilderness for 40 years. Yes, God has cared for them. He fed them. He protected them and was with them all the time.
But maybe you don't get it. The people had lost perspective because it was the same thing every day. Their leader was gone. Egypt was a bad place, but there they had different food to eat and a better schedule, maybe. The desert was not their favorite place. It was hard.
One of our people at The Community asked this question: Why does it seem everything happens to the same people all the time? How can people who do so bad have it so good?
I don't have the perfect answer, but what we do know is that God is always in control. Take a look at Job. He had it all together. Great wealth. Good family. Life was good. Then his family and wealth and even his health were gone. Nothing he did made that stuff happen. We don't have answers. What we do know is that Job was faithful to God always.
Job 13:15 (NASB) --- Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.
Much like the children of God out in the wilderness … much like Job with hard times and few answers, we find ourselves. We grumble. We aren't happy. We have little perspective. In those times God speaks us.
We have a leader given by God. That could be your spouse or your pastor or numerous other people. But we have God.
We also have God's promises. Look back at Joshua 1. Where you step, God said, it is yours. He told them they would be strong and be fine. God was with them.
The same is true for us. No matter your situation, no matter your pain your situation is not outside of God's control. He is with you and He loves you. He has promises for you and is willing to follow through on those promises.
So, what is next? The choice is yours and mine. Will I follow what God says? Will I listen to His voice and follow His leading. If I do, the end will be success. God has greater days in store for you and for me. Do you believe that? Then live it out!
Jeremiah 29:11 (NASB) --- 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
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