In Joshua, chapter one, verse five, God’s foundational promise to Joshua: “I will be with thee, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Likewise, God’s commitment to all believers during their journey and conquests of faith is His abiding presence with us is now a reality through His Son and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise to the people is common in Deuteronomy eleven twenty-five is here. Particularly guaranteed to Joshua, their general, fulfilled in him. Still, more in Christ his antitype, who ended sin, destroyed the devil, spoiled principalities and powers, abolished death, and overcame the world. God is with his servant means to counsel and advise, guide and direct, protect and defend, prosper and succeed.
God will not fail nor forsake but grant Joshua holy presence, communicate strength unto him, make good on his promises, and leave him not till he had the land of Canaan, and even not till the end of his days. Joshua is to make the law of God his rule. He is in charge therein day and night that he might understand it. Whatever affairs of this world we have to mind, we must not neglect the one thing needful. All his orders to the people, and his judgments, must be according to the law of God.
Joshua must be under command: no man’s dignity or dominion sets him above the law of God. He is to encourage himself with the promise and presence of God. Let not the sense of thine own infirmities dishearten thee: God is all-sufficient. I have commanded, called, and commissioned thee to do it and will be sure to bear thee out in it. When we are in the way of duty, we have reason to be strong and very bold. Not to back down.