Joshua 1:6

New King James Version

Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall ^[a]divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them

Encouragement

After many years of desert wandering, Israel is ready to crossover into the Promised Land. However, there is a problem. Moses, their leader, is dead, so who will lead them into the unknown territory?

God lays His hand on Moses’ understudy, Joshua. Those are big shoes to step into, so Joshua is afraid. God, knowing this, steps in to encourage His new appointee. He outlines His promises and sets the conditions for His blessings to strengthen the young leader’s perspective.

Moses, my servant, is dead! v.2

God did not mince words. Moses is dead, Joshua, and it is your time to step up to the plate and lead my people across the Jordan into the Promised Land. You could hear Joshua’s knees knocking. Like all of us, the day the call comes for us to step into the role we have long prepared for reveals our worst fears. God graciously followed the call with the promises Joshua needed to know.

• Divine handover: I will give you every place where you set your foot (v.3).
• Divine assurance: No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life (v.5a).
• Divine presence and support:  As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you (5b).

Now, Joshua, be strong and courageous (6, 7, 9 ) because you have a charge to lead Israel to take their possession. But these are the conditions.                                                            

Be obedient to the Law. Do not deviate from it, nor be negligent, terrified, or discouraged. If you are obedient, you will prosper in all you do. My presence will accompany you everywhere you go.                                                         

We, too, will be crossing over into a new territory tonight, the year 2025. The God who called up Joshua is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He doesn’t change, hasn’t since Joshua’s time, and will never change in your time and beyond.The principles we can deduce from His call of Joshua were firm then and are as firm now.

God calls us up to new challenges in 2025 today as He called Joshua to the challenge of leading His people yesterday. The year 2024 is dying. God has things for us to do in the coming year. New challenges to confront. New blessings to embrace and new frontiers to cover.

You are like Joshua, with great trepidation facing 2025. God wants to assure you, as He did for Joshua, that He has prepared you to take on the new year with all its challenges. Only look to Him who holds your hand for the crossover.

He will be with you to direct and instruct. He will never leave or forsake you, so strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees (Heb. 12:12) and step over with courage  (13:5). God does not lead His people to midstream and abandon them, not knowing what to do. He equips when He calls. He provides whatever we need for the journey and mission – knowledge, understanding, wisdom, strength, power, authority, finances, etc.

He provides divine protection against the forces of evil so your opposition will fail. The Christian’s victory is in Christ. He has won the victory on our behalf, and He carries us along in the victory at Calvary and over the grave. Only remain in Him, and victory in 2025 will be yours.

It’s spiritual warfare from midnight! So, put on His whole armor and fight (Eph. 6:10-18). Obedience is the key to a successful life in Christ. He has guaranteed your success in obeying His word, so don’t fear. Don’t draw back. Don’t be discouraged. To you, His faithful, God assures you that diligence to His word and work will make you prosperous and thriving in the coming year.

So, are you ready to take up the challenge to cross over into 2025 with the Lord’s strength and courage?

Pray with Me

Father, thank you for carrying me through 2024’s successes and challenges. I trust you to hold my hand and that of my family, to cross us over the threshold into 2025, and keep us in your providential care and protection. In Christ our Lord, I pray, amen!