Enabled by His Presence

GETTING STARTED

Hobbits are unadventurous homebodies, on the whole, as described in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. So, when young hobbit Frodo Baggins is chosen for an epic quest, it seems an unusual choice of hero. But, there is a backstory, a prequel, to the saga that gives insight as to the courage and wanderlust that run in Frodo’s family. As we begin the book of Joshua, it is important to know that this isn’t his first appearance; in fact, his backstory in Numbers 13-14 tells why he is God’s chosen leader to succeed Moses. Joshua was one of the two who spied out the Promised Land and brought a faith-filled report to Moses. And now God is going to use him at a momentous time to move forward the redemptive story of the Bible—bringing the Israelites into the Promised Land.

  • What things in your past have prepared you for God’s calling in your life today?

READ THE WORD: JOSHUA 1:1-9 (ESV)

1:1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, 2  “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. What big transitions were happening for Joshua and for the Israelites?
  2. List the promises of God to Joshua and his people in this passage.
  3. Why did God command Joshua to be strong and courageous in verses 6 and 7? For what reasons did Joshua need this strength?
  4. God commanded Joshua a third time to be strong and courageous in verse 9. What assurance follows this command? How does this promise connect to the command?
  5. In what areas do you need God’s strength? To what is he calling you? How does the “withness” of God—his being with you—make a difference in living this out?

RESPOND TO GOD

With a backstory of courage and being full of faith, Joshua was commissioned by God to lead the children of Israel into the land promised by God. It’s the end of one era with Moses and the beginning of a new one with Joshua. This was a deeply spiritual time and Joshua needed the strength and courage that only God’s presence enabled. God’s faithfulness literally drips throughout this passage… just as he promised Moses, he will give them the land and his presence. He will never leave or forsake Joshua. God has promised us his presence as well. Where do you need his strength and courage today? At work? In a relationship? To say no? Don’t be afraid, for he longs to enable you with his presence.  

  • Ask God to show you that his presence is real in your life.
  • Ask God to fill you with his strength and courage because of it.