Dealing With Uncertainty (2)

‘…The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.’ Joshua 1:9 NIV

When Moses passed the torch to Joshua, a lot of things had changed. For forty years Joshua had been taught to navigate and survive in a wilderness, but now it was time to enter the Promised Land. And what worked in the wilderness didn’t necessarily work in the Promised Land. Can’t you hear Joshua’s thoughts: ‘I know a lot about wandering, but not much about warfare’? So God told him, ‘Be strong and courageous…for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.’ Why would God tell Joshua to be strong and courageous? Because he must have felt anxious! Everything about his new situation reeked of uncertainty. The only thing Joshua knew for sure was that God had said, ‘Go.’ So, ‘Joshua commanded the…people, saying, “Prepare…yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan…[and] possess the land…”’ (vv10–11 NAS) Can’t you imagine the people’s thoughts? Question: ‘But Joshua, how are we going to get across the river?’ Answer: ‘I’m not sure, but in three days be ready to go.’ Question: ‘But Joshua, what are we going to do when we get to the other side?’ Answer: ‘I’ll tell you when we arrive. Just be ready to move out.’ Are you getting the picture? As a leader you will always be uncertain about many things, especially when you go into new territory. But you can never afford to be unclear or in doubt about your calling, your vision, and your ultimate victory. And where does such confidence come from? God’s promise, ‘I am with you.’