Pep Talks And Rivers

In the 31st chapter of Deuteronomy there is a unique passing of the torch going on. Moses is now 120 years old and his work as leader is done. He was forbidden by God to enter the Promised Land due to his sin. So now, he is handing the reigns over to Joshua. There are a few key things I want to briefly highlight in this portion of scripture.

Transition is scary

Moses tells the children of Israel what the plan is. They will cross over the Jordan with Joshua as their leader, into the Promised Land. Then Moses does something interesting. He calls Joshua to stand up with him and gives him a pep talk.

'Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched, he said to him, “Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land. 'Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”' Deuteronomy 31:7-:8

I imagine Moses the seasoned leader, putting a hand on each of Joshua's shoulders. He looks him gently in the eyes as he said those words to him. It's very much like a father addressing a son. He needed to give his son some final encouraging words before he sent him out. Why? Because transition is scary.

Transition is a necessary part of life, but necessary doesn't equal easy. Transition opens us up to the fact that despite a solid plan, you still face unknowns. Until you finally activate the plan, you never truly know how it'll go. Moses was assuring Joshua to stick with the plan and he'd be alright.

We personally have been in a time of transition. I picture God and myself in a similar scenario. This transition is necessary. I've decided not to run from it, but God still sees my inner turmoil. He places His hands on my shoulders and tells me to be strong and courageous. My Father is telling me I can do this. God is rooting for me and He is rooting for you.

God is in the transition

Transition can seem lonely. It may feel like everyone else is at a different place in life. In order to move forward it may mean leaving a lot behind; people, things, and dreams. But before you step into the water, remember verse 8. 'Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”'

Other translations use the phrase "neither leave you nor forsake you." The word "forsake" can also be translated "leave behind". Moses just assured Joshua and Israel that God was going ahead of them. He would clear the way for them, but He would not leave them behind. God would not desert them. In this time of scary transition and unknowns, God was not about to "ghost" them.

What I've learned in this season is the times that have been the most difficult, challenging, heart wrenching, and consuming, God has been the closest to me. I may lose sight of Him because I get distracted or get caught up in my emotions, but He has never left me behind. He has never deserted me. If anything, times where I thought He wasn't present was because He didn't show up in the manner I expected or anticipated. Again, God didn't abandon me. I needed to abandon my plan that boxed God in to an all or nothing scenario. God do it this way or I'm done. God answer my prayer this way or I'll think You are untrustworthy. I believe God often answers not in the way we want, but in the way we need.

Deuteronomy 31, marks a transition from the wilderness to the Promised Land for the children of Israel. As they embarked on this transition, Moses imparts some final words to Joshua and the people. Transition can be scary, but God tells us today like He did back then, to be strong and courageous. God Himself was going before them and that same God goes before us. He is with us in our transition and He will never leave us high and dry. He can be trusted to walk us through it. We need to stick close to Him because He's already promised to stick close to us.