Joshua begins immediately with the Lord speaking with Joshua, Moses’s aide and one of 2 spies sent 40 years before to see the land and report back to the people. He was faithful in faith in God then and he is faithful to God now. Imagine…God is telling him to get the people ready…it’s time to enter into the Promised Land. So much has happened to this point.

And how does God prepare Joshua? No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. v. 5-6, 9.

I can’t help but think about what it must have been like to be on the leading edge of having God’s promise fulfilled that was given so long ago. We have God’s promise as well to always be with us as we wait for His return. When that time comes conquering will not come with battle but with love. Don’t ever underestimate love especially God’s love. Get ready! How? Believe Him. I will be with you; I will never forsake you.

As we look around at the deep problems of this world we can easily be discouraged and overwhelmed. Wars upon wars, hate and intolerance, earthquakes shattering thousands of lives, famine, drought. Our history is a record of how hate destroys. It won’t always be that way. In God’s perfect timing He will lead us into His promised rest which will be so much more than the physical land Israel is about to enter and the beauty of that promised rest is it will be for all people. After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. Revelation 7:9.

How do we get ready? We trust God and His promises to us: The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid. As we look to God for His strength, we remember Jesus’s words on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Radical ideas then and now.

The Lord our God is preparing our hearts to trust Him. It takes time. Our hearts that can so easily be barren of love are changed when we realize our great need for His love and mercy. A beautiful word mercy. We want Gods mercy for us and our loved ones; God extends mercy to everyone in His great love. Can you truly imagine so great a love that hearts will be healed? Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27. We can’t do that without God helping us. Get ready!