In Joshua, chapter one, verse one, Joshua had been a close and faithful assistant to Moses during the forty years of wilderness wandering. Joshua, one filled with the Holy Spirit commissioned as Moses’s successor. God was calling him to lead His people into the land of promise. The name Joshua means “the Lord saves” or “the Lord is salvation.” Joshua is a type or representative of Jesus Christ in that he led God’s people into the promised land to victory over the enemies. Joshua’s leadership of Israel covered over twenty-five years.
Joshua steps into the empty place to receive the same great promise is assured of the same Presence and is to obey the same law. The change of leaders is enormous, but nothing else is changed. Even it is not so great as faint hearts in their sorrow are apt to think, for the real Leader lives, and Moses and Joshua alike are but the transmitters of His orders and His aids to Israel.
The first command given to Joshua was a trial of his faith, for Jordan was in flood. How was that crowd to get across when the crossing was impassable? Ferryboats were not accessible, to say nothing of the watchful eyes upon them from the other bank. To cross a stream in the face of the enemy is a tricky operation, even for modern armies. What must it have been, then, for Joshua and his multitude?
Joshua has no hint as to how the crossing was made possible. He has the command to do it and the promise of God to be with him, which is enough. We may sometimes face undertakings we cannot see how to carry through. However, if we do see that the path is one appointed by God and will boldly tread it, we may be sure that, when we come to what at present seems like a mountain wall across it, we shall find that the glen opens as we advance and that there is a way. Narrow, perhaps, and dangerous, but practicable. One step enough should be our motto. We may trust God not to command impossibilities or to lead us into a blank wall.