Joshua 1:1–9
When seasons change and leadership shifts, God remains faithful and calls His people forward.
Transitions may feel unsettling, but they never signal God’s absence. They often become the very place where His faithfulness is revealed most clearly.
I. A Leader Lost, a Future Unclear
Joshua 1 opens with a simple but heavy statement: “Moses my servant is dead.” There’s no easing into it. No soft language. One season has ended.
Moses—the leader, the voice, the steady presence—is gone. And with him goes a sense of familiarity and certainty. Joshua now stands at the edge of the unknown, carrying the weight of leadership and the question every transition brings: What happens now?
Before God gives Joshua direction, He acknowledges the loss.
God does not rush Joshua past grief or uncertainty. He names the reality before calling him forward.
Many of us know this moment well:
- A season ends
- A relationship changes
- A role shifts
- A plan falls apart
Transitions often bring both grief and responsibility at the same time. God meets us honestly in both.
God does not deny loss—but He does not let loss define the future.
II. God’s Unchanging Promise
Joshua 1:5
“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
God doesn’t promise Joshua an easier road. He promises His presence.
The same God who walked with Moses will walk with Joshua. The leadership has changed, but the covenant has not. The calling continues because God’s faithfulness does.
God’s presence is the constant when everything else changes.
We often want reassurance about outcomes, timelines, and success. God offers something better—Himself.
When life feels unpredictable, ask:
- Where is God promising His presence rather than clarity?
- What would it look like to trust His nearness instead of demanding certainty?
God’s presence matters more than knowing how the story will unfold.
III. Courage Is a Choice
Joshua 1:6–7, 9
Three times in nine verses, God tells Joshua: “Be strong and courageous.” That repetition matters. Courage is not a personality trait—it’s a decision.
Joshua is not told to feel brave. He’s told to act faithfully.
Courage flows from:
- Trusting God’s promises
- Anchoring life in God’s Word
- Believing God will be faithful again
Courage is obedience fueled by trust, not the absence of fear.
Courage today may look like:
- Taking responsibility when it feels heavy
- Saying yes when confidence feels thin
- Continuing forward even when emotions lag behind obedience
God does not wait for us to feel courageous—He calls us to choose it.
IV. Moving Forward Together
Joshua does not cross the Jordan alone. God’s people step into the unknown together. Faith was never meant to be a solo journey.
God strengthens His people through shared obedience—through encouragement, accountability, and collective trust.
Faith advances through obedience practiced in community.
Ask yourself:
- Who is walking this season with me?
- Who am I walking alongside?
- Where do I need community to help me move forward faithfully?
God often uses “us” to help each other step into what’s next.
Conclusion
What’s next may be difficult—but God never sends us alone.
You may not know what’s ahead, but you can trust the God who goes with you.
