God's servant Moses had died at the end of the Book of Deuteronomy; but He had already chosen Joshua to be the next leader of His people, who would take them into the Promised Land. Joshua had been one of the twelve spies who had searched out the land of Canaan, and he had been Moses' personal assistant. But now that Moses was dead, would the Lord be the same towards His people as He had been when their former leader was still alive?
God is always faithful to His promises; and that was what gave Joshua confidence as the new leader, for the Lord had promised him that he was not alone. We, too, can be assured of God's presence with us always, in Jesus and in the Holy Spirit.
Where do we go for courage and strength? Here in verse 7, God tells Joshua to be of good courage and follow Him, and he would succeed! The leader of Israel was to trust the Lord's promise, and not lean on his own understanding. This is what we are called to do also; we must walk according to the Word of God.
Joshua was a type or a picture of the Lord Jesus, Who is our ultimate Promise-fulfiller! He is our real Savior; and in Him and His perfect work, we find lasting rest. |
