Walk and Talk with God #11

 

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1)

Moses was a man who walked and talked with God all the time. Joshua had observed that. Now that the mantle of leadership was being placed upon his shoulders, God came and walked and talked with Him. When He did there was no fire or thunder or cloud; the last mention of the cloud is in Deuteronomy 31 when God met with Moses and Joshua together. As they walked and talked this time, what was there to represent the Lord's leading? The Ark: The Ark of the Covenant of God's promised presence. In that ark were the tablets of  God's law - as the Lord tells Joshua here - meditate on my Word - know it, obey it. In the ark was also a sample of the manna, reminding Joshua and the people of God's past faithfulness and provision - He would be no different with Joshua than He had been with Moses.  But most of all, the Ark was the throne of God's presence. He is still the sovereign Lord, so as they were going into this land, it was God's to give to them. His authoritative power would be behind Joshua everywhere they went. As you walk and talk with God today, remember: He is really present with you; He is still on His throne; you have much to thank Him for from the past; He has given you His Word as a discussion starter as you walk and talk with Him.