Jesus Isn't Decaf (By Naomi Meyers)

An air of anxiety blanketed the people as they slowly began to dismantle the camp. Bags were packed. Tents were folded. Oxen were yoked. It had to be done. It was time to move on. Even if they weren’t ready. And they really weren’t. Thirty days of mourning the man who had faithfully led them through rivers and wars, losses and wins, didn’t seem like enough. They weren’t ready to leave this place. Leave behind the last vestiges of his spirit. It was impossible to envision a future that didn’t include Moses. He’d been there all their lives. His transition from earth to heaven left a gaping hole in their company, their confidence. With Moses gone, everything seemed unsettled, every decision seemed up for debate. Except one. They couldn’t stay here. This wasn’t the promised land. They had to keep moving. They had to place their fragile trust in the previous instruction of Moses and follow his successor into the unknown. (Deuteronomy 34)   

Surely Joshua realized the enormous shoes he was tasked to fill. Certainly he noticed the hesitancy and concern etched on every face. It was understandable. Not because the people didn’t know or have faith in Joshua. They did. He had held positions of leadership before, under Moses. Never on his own. He had never been the one bringing commands from God’s lips to their ears. And, even though they had watched as Moses laid his hand on Joshua and prayed the Spirit of God over him, even though they knew his instructions were to follow God the same way his predecessor had, knowing Moses had been training Joshua for this exact moment, they were still uncomfortable. None of the training or ceremonies, or given instructions mattered. None of this knowledge eased their discomfort. They were still nervous. Because people change. They knew that historically. Personally. Embarrassingly. The children of Israel, themselves as well as their ancestors, were explicit examples. (Numbers 27:12-23)

They had a history of inconsistency. All of them. Rarely did their yes mean yes or their no mean no. With one breath they would vow to strictly adhere to every single command and law God gave them. With the next, they would hare off down their own path. It took very little to make it happen. Like Moses being gone for 40 days. That had been a debacle. Idle hands and minds had designed and built an idol, a golden calf. The people then had danced and sung and partied before it as though it was their saving grace. It wasn’t. God was. They knew that, but their changing hearts led them astray. They angered God and Moses both. Coming back down the mountain into the camp, Moses had done what he always did. Interceded with God for them. Brought them back to the place they were supposed to be. They wondered how Joshua would handle a similar situation. Because there was likely to be one. (Exodus 32)

Admittedly, they were not always an easy people to lead. Their moods were constantly changing. Their frustration was limitless. They frequently looked back to measure what they had in Egypt with what they didn’t have on their journey to the promised land. Yes. They knew exactly how capricious humanity could be. Their constant vacillating between jubilant thanksgiving and thunderous grumbling was a frequent reminder of the fickleness of the human heart. What they didn’t know, what they hadn’t seen, was if Joshua carried Moses’ ability to get them back on track, encourage them when they were struggling, support them when they were weak, and infuse their hearts and lives with urgent desire to obey the words and commands of God. (Numbers 11:1-15)

Knowing Joshua for a lifetime didn’t mitigate their concern. In a moment of complete honesty, they were forced to admit this could go a lot of ways. Still. Moses was gone. He wasn’t coming back. The days of mourning his passing were now expired. It could take months or years for their saddened hearts to recover. But they couldn’t stay here in the wilderness forever. There was only one choice. Believe, however tentatively, that God rested on Joshua. Believe that He spoke to him in a similar way as He did to Moses. Trust Joshua’s wisdom, follow his guidance, adhere to his direction. Even when it seemed ridiculous. Even when they had better ideas. Even when it appeared ill-advised. They had no other option but to follow Joshua to the promised land. 

It must have been equally difficult for Joshua to step up and stand in Moses’ place. Moses, who knew God face to face. Moses, who had led these people every step of their journey. Moses, who was respected and revered. To stand in that gap was a massive responsibility. It would have been easy to feel overwhelmed. God knew that. And He spoke the same promise to Joshua that He gave to Moses. Nothing about God was going to change. Ever. His nature wouldn’t alter with the change in leadership. His heart for the people wouldn’t turn away every time they sinned. His plan for their future wouldn’t be altered by king’s plans or enemies’ devices. God and His plan would remain the same. Always. He would be with Joshua just like He was with Moses. He would never walk away or leave him to figure things out on his own. He would guide every step, direct every battle, and lead every part of the journey until they reached their final destination. Joshua had only to do his part. Be strong and courageous. Be faithful and obedient. Don’t be afraid. Don’t let the people, the enemies, or the unexpected situations cause discouragement. Rely on God. Completely. Trust Him to be with them the entire way. Know that not one word of God’s promises will fail. Ever. God’s got this. (Deuteronomy 34:10; Joshua 1:1-9; 21:45)

Somehow, it is difficult for us to see Joshua as needing this reminder. We picture him as some pillar of faith who never knew a second of doubt in his life. As children, we listened to the accounts of Jericho’s demise and Ai’s eventual devastation, and Joshua becomes a fearless, faithful, invincible hero. And he was. But he also needed to be reminded, over and over, to abandon his fear and have faith in His God. As he set his men to re-engage Ai after being trounced in the initial attempt. When they were called to help the Gibeonites in their fight against five Amorite kings. When the kings of the northern cities joined forces to form an enormous army and came to attack Israel. Through every event, God’s message never changed. It was always the same. “Don’t even worry about it. Trust me. I’ve got this.” Regardless of the change in leadership, the increasing anxiety, the ferocity of the enemy, or the obvious impending doom, God was still sovereign. He had never reneged on His promises, and He wasn’t about to start. The truth was simple and consistent. There was no need to worry. God had them covered. (Joshua 8:1; 10:8, 25; 11:1-15)

He still does. Centuries later. God still has His people covered. Although it may feel like there are a million things to worry about, to stress over, to prepare for, God hasn’t changed. He never will. He is still the same God. His power hasn’t diminished with time. His authority hasn’t waned with the passing years. No matter who is in power. No matter what is happening in your life. No matter how anxious the news makes you. God is still God. Sovereign. Omniscient. Omnipotent. Omnipresent. He is still calling the shots. All of them. Whether you see it or not. He has not abdicated His throne or tossed the spinning orb of our planet out of His sight. He is busy. He is working. He is making all things new. Just the way He said He would. So. As you sit and fret over the most recent news broadcast, the opinions of the radio pundits, the opposing viewpoints on social media, or the racing and worrisome thoughts in your own mind, take a moment to silence the clamour of those voices and listen to the voice that matters. The only voice that matters. The voice of God. Your God. Hear Him as He soothes your fears and calms your soul. Know that whatever your “this” is, God’s got it. Whatever you are facing or fearing. Whatever you are hoping or dreading. Whatever you are wanting or wishing. God’s got it covered. He is already in the middle of that situation. He is already working for your good. So still your soul. Silence your heart. Listen carefully as He speaks to you the same words He’s historically spoken to His people as they faced horrific battles, unfortunate circumstances, and an unknown future, “Don’t even worry about it. Trust Me. I’ve got this.” Because He does. (Isaiah 26:3, 43:2, 19; Revelation 21:5; John 10:28-30; Psalm 33:11, 55:22, 85:8, 118:6, 136:16; Hebrews 13:6; Philippians 4:6-7; Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Exodus 14:14)