Day 1 ‘God With Us’ (Joshua 1:5-9)- Week of Prayer & Fasting Devotional
Welcome to the first of our 5 daily devotional posts as part of the Kerith Community Church Week of Prayer and Fasting from 12th - 18th October.
Joshua 1:5–9
“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Change can bring uncertainty. New seasons can raise questions, expose our fears and leave us wondering what lies ahead. As we begin this Week of Prayer and Fasting, God invites us to start not by looking at the challenges before us, but by looking at the God who is with us. Often when we start a Week of Prayer like this as a church we can ask the question ‘what’s the focus of our prayers? What are we calling on God for? What do we want to ‘get out’ of the week?’. These are all good questions to ask, but I wonder if the answer as more simple than we think?
We may want results, fruit, production, ‘tangible outputs’ - but God may want to simply remind us that He is here. Whatever we are currently facing in our lives, or are heading into in the upcoming season - God is with us, and He will never leave us.
Joshua was stepping into a new season. Moses was gone, Joshua had a huge responsibility ahead of him, and the people of God were facing an unknown future. Yet God’s message to Joshua was clear: “Be strong and courageous.”
Joshua’s courage was not rooted in his own ability or confidence. It was rooted in the presence and promise of God: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
That same promise speaks to us today. As we embrace the truth of God being with us always, we begin to feel courageous.
Seasons of change happen all around us in the various facets of our lives. There may be things we understand and things we do not in these changes. There may be excitement about what God is doing, alongside uncertainty about what comes next. But our confidence is not found in having all the answers. Our confidence is found in knowing that God is with us.
So today, let’s bring our fears, questions and uncertainties before him. Let’s pray for ourselves and let’s pray for Kerith, and the changes the church goes through. Let’s pray for every site, every leader, staff member, volunteer and congregation. And perhaps most importantly, let’s make space to listen to God’s voice this week.
God may be inviting us to change, to grow, to trust him more deeply and to become increasingly aware of his presence among us.
Dwell
What does this passage show me about God?
What does it show me about who we are when God is with us?
What challenges and opportunities are before us?
Where might God be asking me to listen, trust and take courage?
Prayer
God, make us people who are courageous because we know you are with us. Help us to bring our fears and uncertainties to you. Give us ears to listen, hearts that are willing to change, and faith to follow wherever you lead. Be with every part of our church in this season. Remind us today that we do not walk into the future alone. You are with us, and you will never leave us or forsake us. Amen.
Please visit our Prayer Page on our website for prayer resources for the Week of Prayer & Fasting, and beyond.