Key Texts: Joshua 1; Deuteronomy 31
Reflect on the (major) tasks you planned (or were instructed by God) to do, which are still stuck on one of your lists of things to do. Some spilled over from 2023, to 2024, to…well you get the picture! Why haven’t you done them? Procrastination, busyness, unexpected interruptions or life in general have the potential to give us reasons to make excuses. Whereas I agree that the unpredictability of life and time constraints are unavoidable, I will also admit that ultimately, some things that I have procrastinated about are ultimately due to underlying fear. If you have had similar experiences, our reasons may be similar: fear of failing, fear of finishing the task but not doing a good job, fear of the unknown – it is not uncommon. Despite our confidence in God and our knowledge that He loves us, we are forgetful and emotions often override the truth, preventing us from transitioning to new experiences or from old temperaments or mindsets. We know what God demands of us, but we doubt we have what it takes to follow through.
The book of Joshua begins with God’s assurance to Joshua; Moses was dead and he was his successor, the one chosen to lead God’s people to the land he promised them. Before his death, Moses had led the children of Israel for forty years, so it is natural that they would miss him and be even slightly apprehensive about the future (including Joshua). They were still in the wilderness, and those who had been a part of the mass exodus from Egypt had died there. Their circumstances did not reflect what God had promised; it seemed they were stagnant, non-progressive and far from the land of promise.
The first time I read Joshua 1, I wondered why it included three reassuring reminders from God (in close succession) that he should be strong and courageous, including the final one asked as a rhetorical question: ‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’ It seems that Joshua had heard the repeated reminders, but still doubted whether he possessed the skills to God’s people like his predecessor. I now understand that the task ahead of him was great, and despite the fact that he was chosen, that may have caused him even a slight sense of anxiety. Joshua had answered the call to lead the people, having been inaugurated by Moses in Deuteronomy 31, but was also aware that he was poised to follow the footsteps of a great leader (of rebellious and fickle-minded people), who had endured many trials yet failed to see the promise.
(In Deuteronomy) when Moses assembled the people together to tell them he would soon die and that Joshua would lead them, he encouraged them collectively to be strong and courageous. Afterwards, he called Joshua and told him in their presence to be strong and courageous, because he must lead the people to their inheritance; he wanted them to know that Joshua was their new leader and support him. If such a prominent leader transitions, it does help the transition process if those who remain witness his overt support for his successor. Again, when Moses inaugurated Joshua, he told him again to be strong and courageous because he would definitely lead the people of Israel to the land God had promised them. When he was alone with Joshua to be inaugurated, Moses received the Word from God that they would reject His sovereignty and turn to other gods. It is unclear whether Joshua was privy to this Word, but it is likely that he knew about their impending disobedience either from Moses directly, or from the song Moses wrote to testify of their rebellion and inclination to only seek God in times of trouble. Joshua was acutely aware that to transition from the wilderness wanderings to the land of promise would include opposition, discomfort, rebellion, the highs of victory and the lows of loss. Having understood the nature of his people and having received the numerous hints that he would need much courage (strength despite pain, grief or opposition), it is understandable why at the start of his ministry of leadership he would be anxious or fearful. I would be worried too! It is no surprise then with that context, that God assures him thrice in Joshua Chapter 1 that he should be bold, courageous and confident in His presence and protection; Joshua was not wholeheartedly courageous.
Despite what may have been anxiety about the imminent events, Joshua ultimately believed God’s promise that He would not be alone, and by adhering to His Word, would have good success and a prosperous path. Additionally, he had supported Moses as a leader and had undoubtedly learned a lot from proximity to him, enabling him to have a foundation to follow his footsteps. Though there is no clear admittance of feelings of incompetence, doubts or questions about how the events would unfold, Joshua was human and God realised his need for assurance. Reassurance is usually given to remove any traces of doubt and replace it with confidence: in Joshua’s case, this was assurance of a confidence that God had commissioned and would accompany him to grant him victory. He told him thrice through Moses before he died, and thrice when he started his mission. The Almighty, Omniscient God Himself realised the need for assuring reminders of His empowerment, presence and promises to Joshua and did this for him six times. If like me, you have feared transitions, God understands!
Over the past three years, coinciding with three years since I published Blots, Flaws and Revelations, I heard that same nudge from Joshua 1 perhaps over a dozen times (I do not exaggerate). I mentioned in the book that I realised some time ago that when God has established His Word, he repeats it to confirm. I need no further confirmations from Him that whatever my future holds requires boldness and courage of which God has an abundance to spare.
Navigating the unknown can be intimidating, whether it involves a decision to follow Jesus, change patterns of thinking or behaviour, or chart unfamiliar courses. Notice in Joshua Chapter 1 that Joshua walked in his calling, obeying what the Lord had called him to do. He also had strategies as seen in the entire book. What gave him such confidence to lead such a significant transition for himself and others? It wasn’t confidence in his ability – it was confidence in the one who charged him to be bold, courageous and dependent on Him. Joshua was confident that he had heard from God and exercised faith in Him.
If like me, and like Joshua, fear has held you captive in some area of your life, the way forward is to seek God through prayer and His Word. Seeking Him involves hearing from Him and if He knows it is time for you to transition, He will repeat and reassure you as He did for Joshua. There is no substitute for hearing from God through prayer and His Word delivered in as many ways as He makes available. If He has a bold step in mind for you, like Joshua He will nudge you, prepare you, reassure you and confirm His Word. I’m not sure which assignment God has for you, but I know that if He has selected you to do something to advance His Kingdom explicitly or to be a blessing to others (whether privately or publicly), He will equip you for it regardless of whether others think you are the ‘right fit’, and regardless of whether you feel confident enough. It could be a decision to change the trajectory of your life, faith, family or community, or on wider scale – the body of Christ at large. Read the book of Joshua to see all the battles won with God’s help as Joshua led the people of Israel to possess their promise. Indeed, their enemies had already dreaded them before their arrival! As He promised, God was with him. Notice that Joshua did not do any evil to be promoted – he was chosen. He did not have to manipulate, emotionally blackmail or deceive anyone to support him. Above all, all the battles won under his leadership brought glory to God – not to him (he desired to honour God – not to merely be acknowledged by man). That quiet confidence despite anxiety or concerns about the future that we see in Joshua comes from the assurance of God’s presence, and is more than any force trying to work against us (Proverbs 16:3; Romans 8: 31-39; Psalm 18: 2). Like Joshua, trust God’s leading to greater manifestations of His work in your life; He will give you the courage to function effectively in your calling.
Like Joshua, we will make decisions which help us to overcome the fear of transitioning to God’s preferred life for us with courage, boldness, repeated confirmations from His Word and above all, His presence. We are not even sure that Joshua’s fears dissipated altogether – he may have simply decided to trust God above his fears and obey Him regardless. I pray that whatever has hindered you from transitioning to the life and level of faith God calls you to will fade into the background, and be drowned beneath an unprecedented level of courage. If God gets the glory, that is enough of a victory won!
If fear has not only hindered your imminent transition but also your prayer life, I pray that you will manage to pray for even a minute or five today, and that God will lead you with His still, small, repetitive and reassuring voice to be courageous like He did for Joshua. He hears, whether your prayers are lengthy and filled with Victorian ‘thees’ and ‘thous’, or if they are brief, faint whispers.
Heartfelt Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the assurance that You are with me. Boldness and courage are often areas where I lack and this hinders me from doing the things you called me to do. Please grant me the wisdom to know Your voice, seek You consistently and honour You with prompt obedience like Joshua. I sometimes feel fearful about the unknown and Your plans for my life, but I pray for the courage and boldness that come only from knowing I am safe in Your will. I ask for Your mercies in this season and favour according to Your will as You did for me in the past, for Joshua and for all who own Your name. I ask for these mercies in the name of your Son Jesus. Amen.
