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Realizing the presence, promise, and power of the Kingdom of God.
The Scriptorium

Promised Presence

He will be with us. Will we be with Him?

Joshua 1 (2)

“No man shall 
be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” Joshua 1.5, 6

Reflect and discuss.
1.  Joshua’s commission was to deliver the people of Israel into the land God had promised to their forebears. But this was not going to be an easy task. Why? Imagine yourself facing such a challenge. How would you feel? What would you be thinking?

2.  Jesus has promised to be “with us always” (Matt. 28.20). How do you experience His presence with you throughout the day? Paul says we are present with Him, where He is, seated at the right hand of God (Eph. 2.6). Is this a presence you experience consistently? Explain.

Think about it.
It was most important that Joshua understand that God would be with him as he took up his commission to lead Israel into the land of promise. Moses had pled with God for His presence, and God granted it, and with it, a foretaste of the “rest” Israel would know in the land of promise (cf. Ex. 33.12-14). Rest awaited Israel at the end of her season of struggle, just as rest awaits us through Jesus once our Kingdom journey has reached its end.

By knowing God’s presence in the midst of his calling and work, Joshua could be at rest and peace, even though many nations would stand up to resist and try to destroy him and the people he led. The same is true for us, as we take up our daily walk with and work for the Lord.

God doubly reinforced this promise of presence: “I will not leave you nor forsake you.” Knowing this, Joshua would have to “be strong and of good courage” to carry out his task. God promised success; but He also indicated that the road to that success would require some very hard work. Joshua would have to be strong and courageous.

And at each step of the process, each new phase of the struggle, God’s presence would be with Joshua and Israel to give them rest.

It only remained to be seen whether they would rest in His presence at all times or rely on their own wits and strength.

Meditate and discuss.
1.  God was with Moses during the time in the wilderness. In what ways? Did God’s presence with Moses mean that his job would be an easy one? When God promised Joshua to be with him, just has He had been with Moses, how would Joshua have understood this? How should we understand Jesus’ promise to be with us always?

2.  Even though God would be with Joshua and Israel, they would have to endure many struggles before realizing the promised land. Why? Why didn’t God just drive the nations out by other means, rather than require His people to undertake such struggle? According to Paul (Acts 14.21, 22), how should we think about our own calling to seek the promised Kingdom and glory of God (1 Thess. 2.12; Matt. 6.33)? Why must this be so?

3.  God promised success to Joshua and Israel (v. 6, cf. Deut. 28.1-14). Would it have been important to keep this outcome in mind as they campaigned against the Canaanites? Why? What has God promised us (2 Pet. 1.4; 2 Cor. 1.20; 1 Jn. 3.1-3)? Does He think we should keep this in mind at all times (Col. 3.1-3)? Why? What does it mean for you to be strong and courageous today in struggling to realize the promises of God?

“It isn’t a man, not your equal or you yourself, but God who says to you, ‘I will not forsake you, I will not desert you.’ If a man made such a promise, you would trust him; God makes it, and you hesitate? He made the promise, put it in writing, made out the bond; you needn’t worry at all. Read what you’ve got in your hand, you’re holding God’s bond; as your debtor you hold the one whom you have asked to cancel your debts.” Augustine (354-430 AD)

Today, Lord, as I go forth into my Personal Mission Field, I know You have promised to be with me, and so I…

Pray Psalm 23.

To what “green pastures” and “still waters” will the Lord take you today? What evil threatens the success of your journey? What rest does the Lord hold out for you to keep in mind and enjoy?

Psalm 23 (Taladh Chriosda: Hymn of the Christ Child)
The Lord my Shepherd is, and I
Shall not want; He makes me lie
In green pastures, leads me by
Refreshing waters, still.

Restore my soul, Lord, day by day;
Lead me in Your righteous way
For Your Name’s sake, Lord, I pray,
According to Your will.

And though through death’s dark vale I go,
I no fear of evil show,
For Your rod and staff, I know,
Shall guard and comfort still.

A table You before me spread
In the midst of those I dread,
And with oil anoint my head;
My cup You over fill.

Thus goodness e’er shall follow me;
Mercy all my path shall see;
Your house shall my dwelling be,
Forever after still.

T. M. Moore

Where does the book of Joshua fit in the ongoing story of God’s covenant? Our workbook, God’s Covenant, can help you discover the place in God’s work of redemption not only of Joshua but of all the books of the Bible. God’s Covenant is a valuable resource to guide you in all your studies in God’s Word. To order your copy, click here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
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