The believer is on a journey; it is the journey of grace.

It is a journey that we do not know; Joshua informed the people: “You have not passed this way before” (Josh. 3:4).

Because the journey is unknown, what does the believer need to know about God who is in charge of the journey?

In 1:1 we are informed that “the Lord spoke to Joshua”; the God we serve is not removed—He is not the god of the Deists; He is not so transcendent that He is not imminent; God is not separate from history but is active within history.

God is not silent; He always speaks at the right time; it was after the death of Moses that God spoke to Joshua; His timing is always right; when we need to hear, He speaks.

When He speaks, He directs: “Arise, go over this Jordan, you and all the people” (1:2).

God speaks to Joshua of “the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel” (1:2); when God guides, God provides; whatever is needed God will give it.

He provides for today; tomorrow will take care of itself; the just person is to live by faith.

To Joshua God says plainly and reassuringly: “I will be with you; I will not leave you nor forsake you” (1:5); though at times the believer may feel alone or even abandoned, the truth is that God knows all things and is with His follower.

The Lord reminds His people to “be strong and very courageous” (1:7) and tells His people: “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (1:9).

Central to the journey is the presence of the Lord in His Word; He instructs His people that the Law is not to “depart from their mouth” and that the believer is to “meditate in it day and night” (1:8).