We Have To Cross The River

Joshua 1: 9, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
As we walk through this life God will assign us difficult task. We will have many rivers to cross. Joshua had just been handed an awesome task. Take over for Moses. Lead the Nation of Israel over the Jordan to possess the Promised Land. I am sure he had his doubts. He was probably afraid. No he was probably terrified. Who would not be if they had just been handed such a mission. Remember Joshua had been across the river. He had seen what lay on the other side; the walled cities the fierce army and the promise of God. He was sure Moses was going to get them there. Moses died and now someone had to take over. God called Joshua! “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.” Marching orders!
Joshua was thrust from being a minister to Moses to the one in command, into a position of great responsibility. The challenge was enormous that was handed to him. The fate of the whole Nation of Israel was not on his shoulders. The lives of over a million people were just in trusted to him. What must have been going though his head? How could he ever follow such a great leader as Moses? The night before he must have lay awake wondering and scared. In his own strength there was no way this was going to work.
He must have said, “Ok Lord now what? How am I going to get this done?” Listen to what the Lord told him, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Wow what a promise.
If God has given you a special task, given you a special work that He needs done and that scares you, remember the words Joshua heard, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Just like Joshua we all will have to rise up and cross the river. Be it the river of fear or obstacles the promise land waits on the other side. It is up to us to go it is up to the Lord to see us through. If we faithfully do our part He will be faithful to do His part. Remember nothing happened for Joshua until he got up and did something. He had to take the first step. Just like Joshua we also must take the first step. Whether it be the first step into the isle on the way to meet Jesus or the first step to cross the river. The first step is ours the rest belong to the Lord.