So I Will Be With Thee

The message was brought by Rev. Bob Surber on Feb 23, 2025.

Joshua 1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. (message covers verses 1-9)

Joshua and the children of Israel were standing where we stand now. Moses had led Israel through the wilderness to the portal of the Promised Land. He wasn’t allowed to go over. It was his time to die. On Mount Nebo God showed Moses the land Israel would inherit. Oh, that we could see what the Lord has for us!

The people of Israel had mourned Moses. Here in the book of Joshua a new chapter begins, a new era. Moses is gone. A new person to lead is on the scene. We are there today. Brother Eddie’s last Sunday as our Pastor was last week. He was faithful to us. We are facing a new reality. In verse 2 the Lord told Joshua that Moses was dead. The past is the past. Eddie didn’t die, but his leadership is gone. I’ve been a pastor so long that this is the first time I’ve ever experienced the loss of a pastor. I still grieve that Eddie felt his time here was past. But we’re here. God chose Joshua for Israel in order for them to move forward. Regardless of what we do not know now, we do know God knows the future. 

The people were used to Moses. Many knew God had chosen Joshua, so they followed him.  God uses me. He uses Bill. He still uses Eddie. All preachers are different, but there is only one God. He’s working through it all. The next pastor may be different in administration or how he preaches. We have a capable committee. They’re seeking. They need our prayers. Let’s be available to help where we are needed and remember it is going to work out. God is with us. He’s already chosen the next pastor. We can be confident in this.

Joshua was chosen to lead the people as he followed the Lord. Let’s just follow the Lord!  He’ll see us through. He will be faithful. He will lead us. Don’t lose heart. Be strong and of good courage. Be obedient. Be faithful. The Bible is sufficient to get us through. Meditate on the Word. Follow it. We shall prosper as a church. We can continue to be a light on this hill.

I challenge all who can to meet at the altar and let’s ask God to help us.