In just a few short days a new era will begin. A new era, not only in the life of all students but for parents as well. This new era, or segment of life, will be marked with the end of the school year. For the seniors who have graduated, you will be entering a “new land”, exciting, stressful, and even scary.

Parents, you knew that this day would be arriving; it may feel as though it came too quickly, or maybe not quick enough!  Even the upcoming freshmen, who are presently Junior Highers, will cross over into the “Land of High School”. In all cases, there will be challenges, anxious moments, even giants where you are headed. You may even be called upon to be a leader, not just in the sense of a student government position, a team captain, but as a spiritual leader.

In the book of Joshua, the very first words from the LORD to Joshua was
“ Moses my servant is dead.” (Joshua 1:2) WOW! In other words, “Joshua, this is a new era, a new time, your day to lead these people is now”.

So Joshua, Moses’ assistant, will now graduate and move on to the next level. This happened without any fanfare or celebration. However, the LORD gave Joshua a promise. The LORD promised Joshua that HE would be with him, just as He had been with Moses.

“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.”  (Joshua 1:5-6)

But, for Joshua to be successful, to be able to face all the new challenges that would come his way, he could not rely on his abilities, his knowledge, or the “way it used to be”, he had to trust and obey the LORD. Joshua was commanded to find his strength and his confidence in the “Book of the Law”, wholly depending on the LORD and His Word.

“Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7)

After receiving the news about Moses, and that he was graduating on to greater things, he encouraged the people with these words.

“And Joshua commanded the officers of the people, ‘Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people. ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’” (Joshua 1:10-11)

This new land that you are about to go into, student, parent; actually all of us, has been planned by God. As Christians, we are to be strong and courageous as we face new things in our lives. But know this, that crossing over into a new land, a new era, there will be multiple challenges, discouragement, fear of the unknown, frustration, and yes even failures that await you. The devil himself, Peter warns, is as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, he’ll be looking for you.

So with that information in hand, don’t rely on your strength, your courage, or the way things used to be in this new land you are going to possess. Remember, God is in control, so “Prepare your provisions”,  your journey is at hand!  Stay grounded in God’s Word, read it daily, meditate on it, and pray daily; that is where you will experience good success.