A fresh start is sometimes more than desirable, it is a necessity. Circumstances may require us to abandon our old ways and begin anew. Lessons learned, both good and bad, invite modifications in attitude and action. Challenges once in the distance may now be at hand, waiting to be tackled.
The children of Israel and their new leader, Joshua, came to such a time as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. Moses, who led them for forty years, was about to die. The Jordan needed to be crossed and nations conquered before God’s people could be at peace in their new home.
Moses delivered a message to all Israel, telling them that God would destroy the nations then living in Canaan, and they would dispossess them. God’s humble servant told the people, “The Lord will give them over to you, that you may do to them according to every commandment which I have commanded you. Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes before you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:1-6).
The words of their aged leader to Joshua, their new leader, sound much the same. “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it” (31:7).
The message for the church should be obvious. God’s family can “be strong and of good courage,” just like the children of Israel. The Lord will provide the victory. Our task is to do whatever He has commanded us. He will never leave us or forsake us. Paul told the church at Ephesus, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (6:10). The writer of Hebrews urged, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” (13:5-6).
