Lay Hold of God’s Presence
“Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (1:9)
I can just see this interchange between Joshua and the Lord. God says to Joshua, “Go and take the land I am giving you.” And Joshua asks, “How do I do that, Lord?”
“First, be strong and courageous and lay firmly hold of My promises.”
“OK, Lord, now what?”
“Be strong and courageous. Lay hold of My patterns for life.”
“Got it, Lord. What else?”
“Be strong and of good courage, Joshua. And lay hold of Me.”
No wonder Moses said, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.” (Ex. 33:15) Israel had miracles. They had manna. But they cried out, “Lord, we want You. If we’ve got You, all the rest of this stuff takes care of itself.” Because it’s God who gives the promise and the ability to possess it. And His purpose is that you and I lay hold of tomorrow not merely for our own gratification, but also that we, like Joshua, will then help other people find what God has for them: “To this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to give them.” (1:6)
For each thing I had to leave behind as a child or young man, the next place in my life was even more fulfilling and fruitful. The same holds true today. I want to be a person who is willing to acknowledge what is “dead”—both the victories and the failures. I want to be a person who lays hold of God’s promise by God’s pattern. And I want to be a person who welcomes and embraces His Presence in my life so that I can help others. I want to lay hold of tomorrow, and if that’s your desire too, join me in reaching out with courage and conviction, because the Lord your God, by His Spirit and His Word, is right now reaching out to you.