I Will Not Leave You or Abandon You
Open Your Bible
Joshua 1:1-9, Joshua 3:1-17, Psalm 73:21-28, Hebrews 13:1-6
BY She Reads Truth
What must it have been like to receive instructions directly from the mouth of the Lord? “Now you and all the people prepare to cross over the Jordan to the land I am giving the Israelites,” God told Joshua (Joshua 1:2). Moses had died, and now it was Joshua’s turn to lead—not because Joshua said so, but because God had said so.
Scripture does not describe Joshua’s emotional reaction to God’s directive, but we can infer from what God said next that Joshua was less than confident about the enormous task ahead of him: “I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or abandon you” (Joshua 1:5). Put yourself in Joshua’s place, the weight of a nation’s survival on your shoulders and impossible battles before you. Let God’s promise sink in.
God was indeed with Joshua. In the chapters that follow, we see Joshua successfully lead the Israelite people across the Jordan accompanied by none other than the tangible presence of God with the ark of the covenant. And we see God fight for Israel as they take possession of the promised land under Joshua’s command. Everyone who followed Joshua benefited from God’s presence.
But Joshua’s life and mission point to someone greater: Jesus Christ. And just as God’s promise to Joshua was for the benefit of all those who followed and obeyed Joshua, the promise is extended today to all those who follow and obey Jesus. The Lord’s presence is with us, wherever Christ leads. We can, therefore, rejoice in the freedom from fear that is ours in Christ. “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6).
151 thoughts on "I Will Not Leave You or Abandon You"
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I really needed this today. Very overwhelmed, I need to get tested for Covid and I’m worried I might have gotten my parents sick. Please pray for all of us.
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❤️ said a prayer for you
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I know so well that God keeps his promises as long as I wait on him. I was speaking to my niece and she says she is fearful with all that is going on in the world. I told her that I do not let fear guide me because it steals my joy. God is my safe zone. I continue to pray that all my family members who do not believe will come back to following him. He is our safe zone and we are never alone as long as we keep him upfront in our lives!
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In these uncertain times the Word brings Hope beyond circumstances, urging obedience and faith to move forward even in distancing. God knows the details of our needs, praying not my will, but Your will be done. Psalm 73:24 “With Your counsel you guide me, and in the end You will receive me in glory.”
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God’s Presence is always enough for me. His promise to be with me covers all my fears, my deepest insecurities and points me to my eternal purpose and communion with Christ. Thank you Jesus that there’s nothing I can do to be separated from you. Your love is that vast and your grace is that deep.
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This is incredible, God’s timing as usual is so amazing. I am in a situation at work where I suddenly find myself having to assume a lot of responsibility and it was making me very anxious. This has calmed my heart.
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Seems simple but when reading through those passages I just kept feeling the reminder that “what God says he will do, he does” and he has so many awesome promises that we can cling to during hard times!
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Enjoyed these reflections
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