A Promise We Can Count On

I will not fail you or abandon you. Joshua 1:5

At first glance, today’s verse seems to be a promise of shelter from danger. It sounds like the words of a father offering his young child comfort. But in reality, it is the battle cry of a God who wants to do great exploits in the life of a man named Joshua.

Joshua was preparing for his finest hour. He was about to miraculously cross the Jordan River, victoriously face the most barbaric people of the earth, and walk the nation of Israel through the complicated task of settling in a new land. The promise that “I will never fail you or abandon you” is God’s commitment to go with Joshua on the journey ahead of him.

There was no escape or back door for Joshua to go through, only the seemingly insurmountable challenge ahead for him to face down. History was counting on it, and God’s plan included a guarantee of his success. That guarantee was the very presence of God himself.

This is what a man’s life is about. It’s about recognizing the challenges God places before you and meeting those challenges head-on, knowing that he is with you. Without challenges, a man’s life is just a list of chores; but with challenges, life is a humble pursuit of doing what is beyond our own ability, only because God is with you.

What seemingly insurmountable challenge is God calling you to face today? Whatever that challenge is, your only guarantee of success is God himself and his promise: “I will never fail you or abandon you.”

Lord, constantly remind me that your presence guarantees that I can accomplish your will.