Deuteronomy 30-31 | The One Who Goes Ahead

Our great fears regarding anything and everything stems from the thought that we are alone. That we are in over our heads and there is no one to help us. Our inadequacy fuels our discouragement. And it should.

This is why God, who knows our frame, continually reminds all those who will trust Him of His sufficient presence. If you disregard Him, of course, you will know nothing of His presence and power. But if you turn to Him in humble faith, you will discover that He is abundantly available for help.

JOSHUA’S TASK

… was overwhelming. He had apprenticed under one of the greatest leaders in human history. Now Moses turns to his protege and hands him the mantle of leadership, but he assures him with the Great Secret.

Then Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:7-8)

If Moses had given him the commission without the final verse, Joshua would have collapsed in fear. Or, worse, he might have been filled with humanistic bravado that would have collapsed at the first sign of the giants they were to face.

GOD’S PRESENCE

… was the key to His leadership. The Lord is the one who would

go ahead of him,
be with him,
never fail him,
never forsake him.

Look through that list carefully. What else could Joshua possibly need when God was making a way, leading, providing, protecting, and promising this presence continually? Joshua’s leadership was simply a matter of following God. If he did that well, he would lead the people well, for God would lead them into all the right paths and provide everything they needed along the way.

NO FEAR

When this combination exists—a faithful man and an all-powerful God—there is nothing to fear. In fact, you don’t even need to be “dismayed.” Any fear that arises springs from the loss of that realization. This is why listening to God daily through His Word is so important. It keeps you aware of the truth and births faith which is the antidote to fear.

Where is your greatest fear right now? Isolate it and then take it to the Lord. Read His Word and be reminded of His 7,000 promises to those who will trust Him. Ask Him if He is able to help you and you will discover He is “near to all who call upon Him.” He is waiting to go before you, never failing nor forsaking you, if you will follow Him.

Father, forgive me for my fear. Help me remember that every hint of fear is a lack of faith in You. Remind me that You are going before me, making a way. You are incapable of failing and You have promised to never forsake me! Give me grace to consciously seek the awareness of Your presence, for Your nearness with me is all I need.