Amazing Guide

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Joshua 1:1-9
Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the
family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything He had spoken came true
(21:45).

Marion Cotillard, an actress in Christopher Nolan’s
movie Inception, says of the director, “Things
that I didn’t really get while we were shooting,
I knew were maybe not to be understood. I found it very
interesting to allow myself to be lost, because I knew that
I had this amazing guide who would take us to a place
where you really live the experience, because you abandon
yourself for a story and a director that will make it all work.”


I think Joshua could have said similar things about
the Director of his life. In today’s Scripture passage, the
newly commissioned leader of Israel is standing at the
threshold of Canaan. Moses, his mentor, has died. He’s
the new top dog, and the weight of the responsibility must
have been palpable. Twice God told him, “Be strong
and courageous” (Joshua 1:6,9). And once He said it
with emphasis, “Be strong and very courageous (v.7). It’s
not difficult to imagine Joshua’s fear and apprehension.
More than 2 million Israelites were looking to him to lead
them to their homeland. How would he do it? God didn’t
provide him with a detailed script, but He did give Joshua
assurances and commandments.


Essentially, God’s assurances were: l’ll be with you. I
won’t give up on you. I won’t leave you. I will be with you
every step you take (vv.5,9). And God’s commandment
was: Make sure you study and practice everything written
in My Word (vv.7-8). Joshua’s response? Complete
devotion and surrender to his amazing Guide.


Near the close of his life, Joshua proclaimed, “Not a single one of all the good
promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything
He had spoken came true” (21:45).


We too can abandon ourselves to a story and to a Director who “will make it
all work.” —Poh Fang Chia

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Read Psalm 16:5-11
to see David’s
understanding of his
amazing Guide.