Hope In The Mourning Reading PlanSample

Where Do I Go From Here?

Moses was dead. The man who stretched out his hand—and the Lord sent devastating plagues on the mighty Egyptian empire—no longer cast his long shadow over the Israelite camp. Into this void, God was calling someone else to accept his mantle, and Joshua wasn’t sure about his call.

Joshua had spent more time with Moses than any other man. When Moses ascended Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments, Joshua waited partway up the mountain for his friend’s return. Joshua often walked with Moses when he left the camp to talk with God at the tent of meeting and had always been the first to see Moses emerge from the tent with his face shining with God’s radiant glory. But now Moses was gone, and thousands of families looked to Joshua for their inspiration.

The rush of Joshua’s heartbeat pounded in his ears. For the first time he understood what the weight of leadership had meant to his mentor and friend. He wondered if he was up for the job, wondered if he could go on without his friend—even though Joshua had been so confident years ago when he and Caleb had tried to convince the people to trust God and take the land.

God met Joshua in the place of his greatest need, and he will meet you there too. When we are convinced we can be successful on our own, God may meet us with silence. But we often hear him speak to us in our hours of despair and doubt because we are ready to listen. In those moments, he reminds us that our future is based on his promises and instruction.

I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Be strong and courageous.
Be careful to obey me.
Meditate on my Word.
Do not be afraid or discouraged.
I will be with you wherever you go.

God asked Joshua to look beyond his own energy and his fears, because God’s promises were the basis of everything that would happen for the rest of Joshua’s life.