Many times, our lives can seem like a vast sea of uncharted territories. While drifting, we are holding an unfinished map which we have to navigate through to get to our destination whether that destination is an actual place, a goal, a provision, or even just reaching some level of peace in our hearts. What that often creates in us is anxiety. How are we to conduct ourselves; how should we think when God providentially places us in a situation that has many unknown variables — things that we’ve never had to deal with before? How do we navigate uncharted territories in our lives without feeling like we are aimlessly drifting, but rather, boldly sailing on a beautiful adventure?
There are many verses that we can draw from and guide us through uncharted territories: Jeremiah 29:11 and Proverbs 3:5-6 just for a couple of examples. But what we will be looking at closely here is Deuteronomy 31:8…
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave or forsake you. Do not be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)
This account is from the time Joshua was tasked to lead the Israelites into the promised land of Canaan. In Deuteronomy 30, we see “the why” in the trustworthiness of God’s reassurance to Joshua (and to us) in Deuteronomy 31:8. God gives us a thorough explanation of what we can expect of Him when His people repent from their rebellion against God and believe in the forgiveness available to God’s children who are in covenant with Him. In Joshua 1:1-9 God came to Joshua after Moses’ death to call on him to put in motion what God had already determined before Joshua was born. Joshua is an example of a great hero, but this story is bigger than Joshua and any of us. God used Joshua to illustrate to us the sovereignty and the absolute trustworthiness of God’s promises and the security of being in covenant with Him. Now in God’s New Covenant, in Christ, the grace of God covers us with Cour Saviour’s righteousness. And because God’s special Grace that covers us, His promises in His Word are for us to cling to for comfort, strength, security and direction. We do not have to spiral into despair or anxiety, worried about the future and all that awaits us there because our Lord — the omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent Alpha and Omega, the Ruler of All, King of kings and Lord of lords has known what is ahead before you were even formed in your mother’s womb and before the very foundation of the earth. Just as He proved to Joshua, God goes before you into the future. God is your compass as well as your true North. Your guide and your ultimate destination. In His presence, is peace that surpasses all understanding. I’ll paraphrase one of my favorite quotes by R.C. Sproul, “we are most keenly aware of God’s presence in our lives when we are growing in understanding of God’s sovereignty” because it is by understanding God’s sovereignty that “when we are in the presence of God, we are humbled and become most aware of ourselves as creatures” as compared to a Holy, perfect, and sovereign God. God is sovereign and He is completely trustworthy because He is Holy.
God promises His special presence and grace to those who are in His covenant. In Joshua 1:5 and 9, God promised to be with Joshua and strengthen him wherever he would go. The pledge of covenant He gave to Joshua is one of the biggest greatest blessings God gives to His people and is a repetition of one of the patriarchal promises found in Genesis 28:10-15. The promise of God’s enduring presence in our lives, a presence that strengthens, is one of many promises given to us today through Christ (see Hebrews 13:5). It is not a promise to keep us away from the hardship, pain and suffering that comes with living in a broken, sinful world. But what we are guaranteed that our Good Shepherd will go through it with us and continue to be with us right into eternity; He will never leave us alone.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)
Questions to Ask Yourself:
- Study God’s sovereignty and Holiness (recommended supplemental readings to your Bible study “The Holiness of God” by R.C. Sproul, “Providence” by John Piper, “The Sovereignty of God” by A.W. Pink, “The Mystery of Providence” by John Flavel, “Trusting God Even When Life Hurts” by Jerry Bridges, “The Secret Providence of God” by John Calvin, edited by Paul Helm, “The Doctrine of God” by John Frame, “The Benefits of Providence: A New Look at Divine Sovereignty” by James Spiegel)
- After studying God’s sovereignty, ask yourself, how will being more keenly aware of God’s sovereignty (supported by Scripture) make a difference in the way you perceive God’s presence in your life?
Prayer Prompt:
Pray about the above question.