“No one shall be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you” (Joshua 1:5).

The Israelites were camped along the east bank of the Jordon River, the edge of the Promised Land, while completing the period of national mourning for Moses, their liberator and statesman.

With their visionary leader dead, the newly independent nation needed someone who would continue to lead them. Joshua, one of only two living eyewitnesses to the Egyptian plagues and the exodus, and Moses’ confidant and personal aide for 40 years, was seemingly well prepared for leadership.

God, aware of the secret and public thoughts and intentions our hearts, knew that Joshua needed support. He needed a word.  God’s words (Joshua 1:5) must have been like sweet music to his ears.

There are moments on our journey when we know God is with us, but when we also need to hear from God. We need a word from the Lord when we are being given new responsibilities; when we are deciding if someone is the right person to be our life-long partner; when deciding which house to purchase or which community to live in or which school to send our child; or whether or not to do the surgery; or if we should take the new job or remain with the one we have. These and many more are moments when we want to know that God is with us; but we also want to hear from God, even if it is just “God is with you” or “Your pain will turn into joy” Jn 16: 20.

We may not be called to lead over two million persons or to conquer nations; but we all face various tough situations, difficult people, and fierce temptations.

In his crisis, Zedekiah asked, “Is there any word from the Lord?” (Jeremiah 37:17) because he needed a word from God.

Andrae Crouch wrote a lovely song entitled “We Need To Hear From You.” It goes as follows:

We need to hear from you
We need a word from you
If we don’t hear from you 
What will we do?
Wanting you more each day
Show us your perfect way
There is no other way
That we can live

God will often speak before, during or after we have asked. Listen carefully because sometimes God will speak in a “still small voice”.

THOUGHT:     If God leads you to it, God will lead you through it.

PRAYER FOCUS: Ask God to speak to your situation.

Rev’d Everald L. Galbraith J.P.
Connexional Bishop