Moses was now dead – the leadership was passed on to an inexperienced, clueless young man named Joshua. Moses at the end of his life, publicly passed the leadership to Joshua. Here God reassures Joshua…..

“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them — to the Israelites. Joshua 1:2
I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Joshua 1:3
No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Joshua 1:5

I remember having dinner with Pastor Joey and Marie 3 weeks after learning that I was planting a church in Greenhills. During that time, I was so overwhelmed with the fact that I was going to lead it. It would be my first time to lead a church and I was like Joshua. Moses told me I was leading it, so I took the challenge.

I remember our conversation with Pastor Joey and Marie, they started sharing their experiences in church planting – the joy, the challenges, the faith required, the leadership and everything in between. The whole night they made me realize that leading and planting a church is serious business. Before leaving their place, pastor Joey said something that erased all our doubts and fears. He said, “Dennis and Thammie – you guys can do this, you have what it takes.” Those words sealed the deal.

Joshua underwent the same kind of pressure, leading more than a mllion Israelites to the promised land. In order to do the job, God had a pep talk with the clueless Joshua. Here’s how it went:

God – You can do it, I am backing you up.( 1:3,5,9) Be strong and courageous (1:6-7,9) Obey my words and you will be successful, I’ve given you the manual to lead the people (1:8)

What was Joshua’s response after the talk with God? He started doing what God told him and led the Israelites to the promised land.