Our scripture this morning is Joshua 1:7-8.
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
The opening of Joshua finds the children of Israel at the edge of the Promised Land. Moses is very old and God has chosen a new leader to replace him. They face the next task uncertainly, concerned for what lies ahead and untested human leadership.
It’s easy for us to shake our heads and ask why were they worried? God had brought them out of captivity, through forty years in the desert and now they were on the brink of their goal. All this time God had been teaching them to trust Him, and as soon as human leadership changes they are in disarray again.
We are still the same unfortunately. We look in all directions for someone to solve our problems when the One who can help and save us is always present. God has given us the “Book of Instruction” to teach us our relationship with Him and our responsibility to one another. We need God in our lives as individuals and to be together as His people.
Heavenly Father, help us to see that in spite of our own selfish ways, You are in control. We are sorry for our disobedience and ask Your forgiveness. Bless us to be Your light and love in our world. Amen.
