Making Time for God

31. Stepping into the New

It's me again God,

Stepping into something new is always exciting but inevitably there can be a degree of fear mixed with our anticipation. Many stories I have read through the Old Testament speak of setting out on a journey to somewhere new or of people who were taking on a new role. One that always stands out to me was when Joshua was stepping into the role of leading Your special people:

"After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.""
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:1-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What a daunting role and journey Joshua was stepping into but You were there, preparing him with words of encouragement and advice. You gave Joshua clear instructions and promises to hold onto as he stepped into his new position. The journey was not going to be easy but You promised to be with him and never leave him. Thank You that these words are also for me as I step into 2020!

You kept reminding Joshua to be strong and very courageous. This wasn't based on something You expected him to be, by somehow just drawing on his own resources —it was all about relying on the fact that You would be with him wherever he went. There was no need for Joshua to be afraid as he stepped into this new thing even though there was clearly a chance that the enormity of the role could cause discouragement.

Thank You that Your Holy Spirit lives in me and so I am never alone! Just as You have guided me through this year, I can be sure of Your presence as I step into the unknown after midnight. 'Happy New Year' will resound around the world as people wish their friends and family a successful and prosperous 2020 but these are just words that don't really carry any certainty. I love the way You instruct Joshua to keep Your Word on his lips and meditate on it day and night. The temptation is for me to do my own thing when there is only one way that will lead to success.

Please help me to remain diligent in reading Your Word each day in the year ahead. Guide me and encourage me with Your words of truth as I seek to serve You each day. I will not be afraid, for I hold onto Your promise to be with me wherever I go!

For Your glory,
Amen.