And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:8

These were Moses’ words to Joshua as he handed him the baton. Joshua found himself left with the daunting challenge to “go over the Jordan… and divide for an inheritance the land.” (Josh. 1:2, 6)

As a spy, Joshua had learned first-hand the impossible odds he faced in Canaan. As Moses’ servant, Joshua had learned first-hand the temperamental nature and weak faith of Israel.

But when God gives a mission, He also gives the means to accomplish it. That is the promise of His presence. He reiterated the promise in Joshua 1:9. “For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” The rest of the story, of course, is history.

But what strikes me are the similarities between Joshua’s mission and mine. When God saved me, He gave me a mission. It’s the greatest mission there is. In Matthew 28:19, He said “go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.” To me personally, he has said: “Go, and make disciples, beginning in the city of Irun, Spain.” That’s why I’m a “missionary.”

And as I slowly gain maturity and perspective, I realize that my challenge is as daunting as Joshua’s was. Joshua faced giants in Canaan. I face the work of Satan hardening the hearts here through attacks from all directions. He’s attacking through the patent hypocrisy of a Catholic-molded culture. He’s destroying  people’s belief in God through falsely-termed science. He’s unravelling the moral fiber of the society. Joshua had to lead a temperamental, volatile, and unfaithful nation. I am still coming to grips with my own sinful nature and lack of faith, which is a constant impediment.

But, praise to God, when He gives a mission, He also gives the means to accomplish it. Christ’s promise in the next verse is “lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” God promises His presence, and with that, there is nothing that can stop me.

David

Please take a second to look through a page I just added to my site. It’s here. I am still personally trying to find God’s will concerning financial provision for myself, and eventually, for my family. I am far from certain about the future, but I’ve outlined where God has led me so far. In the meantime, like Joshua, I’m trusting in the promise of God’s presence.