THE GOD WHO IS EVERYWHERE

The God who is everywhere.
Joshua 1:1-9
"Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

To the modern reader, the words seem innocuous, but to the people of Israel, the words are profound and significant. However, before we dive into the importance of these words, we need to place ourselves in Joshua's shoes. He was taking the reins of leadership of a people who were plagued by doubt and unpredictability. When faced with adversity, they would react with fear. Instead of trusting god and his appointed leaders, they would question their leadership and complain about the circumstances they faced. They were a nation that saw the glass always half empty. Therefore, we can easily understand why Joshua would be apprehensive. Not only were the people challenging to lead, but he was also going to lead people inexperienced in the war on a major military campaign.  
In light of the challenges confronting them, it is not surprising that God would command Joshua three times in these verses to be strong and courageous. All three times, God issues a command requiring action. As he faces the struggles ahead, he is to stand firm and not waver in the face of adversity. This courage comes as the people learn to walk in obedience to God. The more we live by God's promises and his word and obey his commands, the more encouragement and strength we find in times of difficulty. The Psalmist would later convey the confidence that comes from the Bible when he writes, "The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul" (Psalm 19:7).
However, God does not merely give a command without any merit or basis. When we are in the midst of the challenges and struggles of life, we need more than just platitudes. We need a basis and foundation for hope and strength. This hope does not come from the leadership skills of Joshua or the military power of Israel's army. It comes from the presence of God. In verse 5, God assures Joshua, "I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you." To fail means to "drop or forsake another." In other words, God will not drop the ball when caring for the people and giving them strength. Just as God was faithful to be with Moses throughout all the difficulties of his life and leadership, so God will be faithful to Joshua. Consequently, he does not need to tremble or be dismayed.
In the final statement, God uses words that are profound and significant. The common belief in the Ancient Near East was that the gods were localized and geographically confined to a specific location. To leave one area under the dominion of any particular god was to remove oneself from the protection and oversight of that god. But the God of Israel promises that he will not only be with them but also go wherever they go. In other words, the God of Israel was not confined to a specific location or geographic area. His power and dominion are universal. In that statement, God was not just affirming that he would be with them but that no matter where they went, they would never be beyond his authority and power.
Such is the promise to us today. To affirm God's omnipresence (that he is everywhere at all times) is to give us the conform that God is always near, always present, and always watching over and protecting us. God's presence is universal, and so God's reign is universal. Consequently, we no longer need to live in fear or apprehension. God is just as present and near to us in the thoroughfare as he is when we are in church. This is the basis for Joshua's hope and confidence and our confidence today. No matter what happens in our life, we have the assurance that God is walking beside us and caring for us. Therefore, we can have courage and remain fearless in a world marked by fear.