The Lord Is with You Always

In Deuteronomy 3:26-27, Moses relates to the people why he was forbidden to cross over the Jordan into the Promised Land. The Lord then said to Moses, "But command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see" (v. 28).

Now, in Deuteronomy 31:1-8, we pick up the story of the commissioning of Joshua to take over as the leader of the people of Israel in Moses sted, as the people prepared to cross the Jordan. Moses began by reminding the people of Israel that the Lord had forbidden him from crossing the Jordan (vv. 1-2). He told them, "The LORD your God Himself crosses over before you; He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua himself crosses over before you, just as the LORD has said" (v. 3). He reminded them of how in times past the Lord went ahead of them and fought their battles for them, giving them victory over their enemies (v. 4). Now was no different. No foe was too great for the Lord God. They were to simply follow Him (v. 5).

That brings us to the main part of our text for today's Bible Insight: "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you" (v. 6). Moses told the people of Israel not only to be obedient (v. 5) but to be fearless (v. 6). He said, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified" (v. 6a, NIV). How could this be? Note the rest of this verse: "for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you" (v. 6b).

Then Moses called Joshua before the people and commissioned him, telling him essentially the same thing he told Israel: "Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed" (vv. 7-8).

The message is the same: You can be obedient (v. 5) and fearless (v. 6a) because the Lord is always with you (v. 6b). He goes before you into every situation as your Commander in Chief. He is the Divine Warrior who fights for you. "He will not leave you nor forsake you" (vv. 6b, 8b). His promise to you is the same as it was to Israel and Joshua so long ago. He is with you, He leads you, and He fights for you in every situation in which you find yourself. He always has fought for you since the day you trusted Him as your Lord and Savior, and He always will. Just trust Him. Amen.