Imagine the bittersweet thrill that it must have been for Moses to have God show him a view of the Promised Land from the top of Mount Nebo! It had to be disappointing not to get to go, but God had already told him, because of his disobedience at Kadesh as told in Numbers chapter 20, so he must have been somewhat used to the idea. But the thrill of actually seeing the land with his own eyes had to have been very satisfying.

The view from Mount Nebo – courtesy of Adam Groffman

If you’re Joshua, imagine the prospect of trying to fill Moses’ shoes! I can only think that he must have been feeling a mixture of fear, inadequacy, excitement, and a host of other emotions. I’m pretty sure that’s why God spoke to him and said, “Be strong and courageous! Don’t tremble or be terrified, because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

How cool is it that God gave him that reassurance! I don’t know about you, but if God gave me that sort of message, it would really help to give me a peace about whatever situation I was in. Oh. But of course God has done just that, hasn’t He? The Bible is filled with God’s promises to us. John 14:27 gives us these words from Jesus, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” And the apostle Paul, in 2 Thessalonians 3:16 says,
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”

I could go on and on, but you get the idea.

And I can tell you from my own life that knowing God is there for me greatly helped my family and I last year when my middle son, Steven, nearly died. During those first few hours in the hospital while he was in surgery and then in the recovery room, LeeAnn and I cried out to God. And knowing He was there to hear us, knowing that whatever happened He was there for us, gave us a calm in the midst of the storm.

God is faithful. Always.