For the
past few weeks my daily morning Bible study has focused on that great Old
Testament hero, Moses. My daily reading
has impressed upon me again the humility and faith that guided Moses as led
God’s chosen people, the Israelites.
Given all of his experiences, Moses could have written a book. In fact, he wrote five of them! In reading Deuteronomy, we see Moses getting
ready to turn his leadership role over to a new man. Joshua was God’s chosen servant, the one who
would lead the Israelites to the promised land of Canaan.
Normally a
job promotion is a cause for celebration.
However, one could understand if Joshua was feeling anxious about this
new assignment. Joshua knew all too well
about the “stiff-necked” ways of the people.
He listened as they complained about Moses’ leadership abilities and
Joshua watched as the people ignored God’s commands and, instead, led
disobedient lives. It would be no picnic
dealing with this crowd.
Joshua also
knew that there would be opposition as the Israelites settled into Canaan. Battles would be fought against powerful
enemies. Would Joshua be able to count
on the support of the people in the heat of battle? Would they be able to conquer their foes and
enjoy the land God had given them?
Moses and
Joshua meet. It is time for the transfer
of power. Was Joshua showing signs of
anxiety? Was doubt written all over his face?
We don’t really know. But listen
to the reassuring words that Moses offers to the new leader of the Israelites:
“You have seen with your own eyes,” Moses says, “all that the Lord your God has
done to these two kings. The Lord will
do the same to all the kingdoms over there where you are going. Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God
Himself will fight for you.”
Is this a
word that you need today? Do you find
yourself feeling anxious about the future?
Afraid that you’re going to lose your job? Afraid that you’ll never find another
job? Or perhaps you face a different
trouble? Is the temptation to eat too
much or spend too much or gossip too much getting the best of you?
Or maybe
your concern is health – yours or someone else’s health. Maybe you’re afraid that the diagnosis or
treatment is more than you can bear.
Perhaps your fearful that the medical situation you face will leave you
facing life without hope.
The words
from Moses to Joshua were designed to replace fear with faith. Let them do the same for you. This is God’s personal word to you this week:
The Lord your God Himself will fight for you!
Think about
it – Jesus has already fought for you and won!
He lived an obedient life under the Law – for you! Satan came after the Lord with his weapons of
eternal mass destruction. But Jesus
would not give up the fight. His love
for you led Him to the cross. His cry,
“It is finished,” was His victory shout!
Jesus paid for your sins. He
suffered your punishment. In faith you
are free to love God and to serve Him with joy.
You can do this with confidence because the Lord your God Himself will fight
for you!
And God
continues the fight. With His gifts of
Word and Baptism and Communion God powerfully calms your fears and restores
your hope. You have seen with your own
eyes how He has fought and cared for you in the past. Your Lord won’t stop now! Let this truth replace your fear with a
renewed faith in your Savior God. I’ll
say it again: The Lord your God Himself will fight for you!
