Our scripture this morning is Deuteronomy 31:7-8 (ESV).
Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
God told Moses that his time leading the people was finished and chose Joshua as his successor. In these verses Moses passes his leadership position and encourages Joshua in front of the people as God had encouraged him all along. There are many examples of this type of encouragement in scripture.
In 2 Timothy 1:7 Paul writes “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control”, encouraging Timothy in his ministry. This kind of mentoring in the faith is as essential now as it was in the early church. We are responsible for and to the next generations, ensuring that they are nurtured in the love of Christ.
Jesus Himself tells us in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” The old hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers” says “we have Christ’s own promise and that cannot fail.” Jesus has called us to go in His power and love, sharing that blessing with the world.
Loving Lord, forgive us when we let the world intimidate us and remind us that we go in Your name. Strengthen us in faith when our discipleship is difficult, and send us with Your love. Amen.
