Always There

No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.
Joshua 1:5

You probably know the story - Twelve men go to spy out the land - one from each of the tribes of Israel. Did I mention that it was to the Promised Land they were going? Promised...by God. God Himself said, "I will give it to you." So, twelve men go to check it out. Ten come back and say, "No way, no how, not now, not ever." Joshua and Caleb stand and say, "We are well able to take the land." Who did the people believe? They believed the report of the ten. The ten who reported the facts, not the two who reported the Truth.

The Truth of God's Word ALWAYS overrides fact. God said He would give them the land. For Joshua and Caleb, strong and courageous, that was enough. As a result, from the original group of Jews who left Egypt, they were the only two over the age of twenty to enter the Promised Land. 

Right before Moses died, God summoned Moses and Joshua to the mountain and laid out the plan. He told them how the people would rebel, but Joshua was to lead them anyway. God told him (Deuteronomy 31:23), I will be with you.

Moses delivered the Word of the Lord to the people and instructed them to, Take to heart all the words of warning I have given you today. Pass them on as a command to your children so they will obey every word of these instructions. These instructions are not empty words—they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life...

If you read the story in Deuteronomy and in Joshua, you'll find very interesting details. The bottom line - God said it. It's enough. Yes, there will be battles. Yes, there will be trials. Yes, you will have to be brave and courageous. But He said it. He promised. Do what He says and He'll always be with you. Old Testament - New Testament. The Promise is there. Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age... 

Prayer:

Father,
            Open our hearts to receive Your Word in its fullness. By Your Grace, help us to choose Your Truth over everything else, no matter what we see or hear or feel. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen