Joshua 1:9 – ‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.’

Fear Not Friday – God’s Abiding Presence

A 1980 film entitled The Bodyguard, reveals how a rich High School new student enlist the help of another boy to be with him as his bodyguard against the school bullies. It works well, until the school bullies enlist another “older boy” to be their bodyguard. Having someone bigger on your side was the key.

Joshua was embarking on a journey which had no road map. He was leading a nation of people to take possession of land which was full of other people and fortified cities. God had promised him victory along the way. The bigger promise was the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go,

Joshua was very familiar with God’s leading and His presence. He and Caleb were the only two still alive who saw the miracles of the 10 plagues, parting of the Red Sea, and were present for the receiving of the 10 commandments. 

After the tabernacle was constructed the presence of God filled the tent. Moses and Joshua would go into the tent to meet with God. Notice what Joshua did in Exodus 33:11. The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. Joshua remained in God’s presence.

The surprise of God’s abiding presence shifted from remaining in the tent to “wherever Joshua would go”.

God’s abiding presence food for thought

  • Joshua was comfortable spending lengthy time in God’s presence
    • How long do you spend alone with God? Is it comfortable?
  • Joshua knew how to dialogue with God and chose obedience
    • Can you discern God’s whisper to you? What has He been saying?
  • Joshua one verse earlier was instructed to keep the book of law constantly before him and obey it.
    • What is the link between spending time reading and meditating on God’s word and being sensitive to His abiding presence?
  • Even with God’s abiding presence, Joshua needed the exhortation to not succumb to fear or discouragement
    • How might you be strengthened against fear and discouragement by a renewed awareness of God’s presence?
  • Jesus made the same promise to His followers regarding the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. He NEVER leaves the children of God
    • Are you comfortable engaging Holy Spirit?
    • How may you nurture the relationship with Holy Spirit’s abiding presence?

On this Fear Not Friday, How may the knowledge of God’s abiding presence help you with fears and discouragement which you are facing

Plaster this verse in several places today. Read it aloud. Memorize it. Own it by knowing the promise is true for you, today, right now, even with a divided heart. No matter what may come your way, no matter what you may hear, no matter how you may feel, God has promised He will never leave you. He promises Himself to you. Fear Not.

Blessings Love y’all