Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes.” —Deuteronomy 1:29-30
Moses began his farewell message to Israel, reminding them of their refusal to obey God’s command to enter the Promised Land. Moses is preparing the new generation for his death when they must follow a new leader. God and Moses are preparing them to do mighty things in the coming days, led by Joshua, that their parents did not do. But they must obey the same command their parents ignored: Be strong and courageous, don’t be terrified or afraid (Joshua 1:1-18). These parents ignored God. Would those children own a faith that their fathers’ did not have? Would this next generation rebel, too? Would they undercut Joshua as their parents had Moses? However, the more penetrating question for you and me is this: Will we undercut our leaders today because we are terrified and afraid, or will we move forward faithfully because we trust God?