What lies before you that seems insurmountable? What promise or prompting has God placed on your heart that feels out of reach or absolutely impossible to reach?
As Solomon said, “There is nothing new under the sun…”
Joshua had the responsibility of leading hundreds of thousands of God’s chosen people. The time had come, and they were standing across the Jordan River looking into the promised land. Had his eyes been on the landscape – the fortified cities, the warrior nations, the terrain itself – Joshua would have failed. He would have caved in fear like the generation before him. But Joshua’s eyes were not on the landscape, but on the maker of the landscape. Joshua’s focus was locked on God. His ears were tuned to God’s voice. He expected to hear from God, and He did. He expected to meet with God, and He did. He trusted God to lead him, and He did.
It was because Joshua’s eyes and heart were where they should be that God showered him with blessings. Promises. Miracles.
“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)
“This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
What lay before Joshua may have appeared to be insurmountable. Impossible. But with God there is no impossible! The battles before Joshua were not his own. Joshua’s eyes were locked on God, and his heart was determined to be obedient. Joshua didn’t just know of God, he knew Him intimately. And Joshua knew that God could and would provide a way.
“When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?” “Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the LORD’s army.” At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?” The commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did as he was told.” (Joshua 5:13-15)
Insurmountable battles? They cease to exist when the LORD is present. God sent the commander of His army to help lead and fight for His people. Things haven’t changed. God’s power hasn’t weakened. His arm has not shrunk. His hearing has not diminished. His sight has not faded.
There is no “impossible” with God.
Therefore, be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Blessings!