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FOCUS VERSE: Be strong and courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. —Joshua 1:6 (CEB)

PRAYER OF PRESENCE: 

God, whose love does not let us go,
In the stillness, we open our hearts to Your presence.
Draw near and center us in Your love and grace.
May You gentle light guide our thoughts,
Your peace calm our souls,
And Your Spirit move within us,
That we may reflect experience your peace and grace.
Amen.

SCRIPTURE: Joshua 1:6-9

HYMN FOR REFLECTION:
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z4aWpHrdZ4 

Arise, my soul, arise
Charles Wesley, 1707–1788

  1. Arise, my soul, arise,
    Shake off thy guilty fears;
    The bleeding sacrifice
    In my behalf appears;
    Before the throne my surety stands;
    My name is written on his hands.
  2. He ever lives above
    For me to intercede;
    His all-redeeming love
    His precious blood to plead;
    His blood atoned for all our race
    And sprinkles now the throne of grace.
  3. Five bleeding wounds he bears,
    Received on Calvary;
    They pour effectual prayers,
    They strongly speak for me;
    Forgive him, oh forgive, they cry,
    Nor let that ransomed sinner die.
  4. The Father hears him pray,
    His dear Anointed One;
    He cannot turn away
    The presence of his Son;
    His Spirit answers to the blood
    And tells me I am born of God.
  5. My God is reconciled,
    His pard’ning voice I hear;
    He owns me for his child;
    I can no longer fear;
    With confidence I now draw nigh,
    And Father, Abba Father, cry!

REFLECTION

You may have already heard me say that Moses is my all-time favorite biblical person. For me, Moses represents a model leader—one who encapsulates both the joys and challenges of answering God’s call to lead God’s people. Moses portrays the complexities of leadership with remarkable honesty. He intercedes before God on behalf of the people, stands before them to deliver God’s instructions, and experiences moments of elation when the vision is clear and progress is achieved. Yet he also endures harsh criticism, internal conflict, and the heartbreak of realizing that his work may not achieve all he first dreamed.

But through it all, Moses remains faithful. His story reminds me that leadership, especially in faith communities, is filled with both joys and challenges. Over the past two years, I’ve noticed that my love for Moses has led me to develop a new theological understanding. While Moses and his generation traveled far, it was Joshua, Caleb, and the new generation who inherited the land God had promised to their ancestors. I want to be part of the Joshua Generation—a generation that not only believes but also lives into a reality others had only dreamed of, a reality that sees possibilities even when others proclaim calamity and doom.

Joshua’s story develops at a pivotal moment of community transition. Moses has died, and the mantle of leadership passes to Joshua. But Joshua is not a new face. He is someone who has gone through a process of preparation through observation and conversation. As Moses’ assistant, Joshua would have been by his side as they journeyed with God and led the people.

Who are the people you observe and dialogue with? And who is observing and dialoguing with you? These questions are vital for Christian formation and discipleship. Leadership and faith grow through relationships—by learning from others and allowing others to learn from us.

Even though Joshua had essentially become a resident scholar at the Moses School of Leadership, fear and doubt must have crept in as he took on this monumental task. This is why Joshua repeatedly hears the call to “be strong and courageous.”

In our lives, much like Joshua, we are often called to step into uncharted territory, facing challenges that feel overwhelming. Yet, God’s command to Joshua—“Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”—is the same promise God extends to us today.

As I see it, being part of the Joshua Generation is about much more than leadership; it is about stepping boldly into God’s promises. It is about trusting that God is with us, even when the journey is uncertain. Being part of the Joshua Generation means reflecting on God’s word, embracing God’s guidance—even if it leads us to unfamiliar places—and recognizing that success is not measured by our strength but by our faithfulness.

May we, like Joshua, hear God’s voice saying: “Be strong and courageous.” May we rise in confidence, trusting in Christ’s redeeming love. And may we step boldly into the future, knowing that wherever we go, the Lord our God goes with us.

CLOSING PRAYER:

I ask you neither for health nor for sickness, for life nor for death; but that you may dispose of my health and my sickness, my life and my death, for your glory.

You alone know what is expedient for me; you are the sovereign master; do with me according to your will.

Give to me, or take away from me, only conform my will to yours.

I know but one thing, Lord, that it is good to follow you, and bad to offend you.

Apart from that, I know not what is good or bad in anything.

I know not which is most profitable for me, health or sickness, wealth or poverty, nor anything else in the world.

That discernment is beyond the power of men or angels, and is hidden among the secrets of your Providence, which I adore, but do not seek to fathom.

—Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)

 

WEEKLY PRACTICE: Jan 19 - 25 (Sun - Sat)

Petition: Asking For Needs and Desires in Prayer

Each day this week take time to ask God for something from your heart and mind as you focus on seeking to engage life with the mind of Christ. It can sometimes be hard to focus on self and even feel selfish to ask for anything while knowing the breadth of challenges people are facing around the world and right next door. Yet, God chooses us and love us and so it is good to ask freely and without hesitation. By faith, God not only hears and feals with you, but will answer with the passion of love and grace which also abides in you. 

May you be filled with passion for whatever your heart desires and may that passion be fueled and inspired by God’s dabiding love. Amen.

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