To carry out His will, God chose Joshua to take Moses’ place.
Twelve people representing the twelve tribes were sent to Canaan on a reconnaissance mission. All except Joshua and Caleb reported that they could not defeat the seven Canaanite tribes. As the Israelites lowered their banners, Joshua and Caleb proclaimed, “God lives. Believe in Him, for He has parted the waters of the Red Sea for us and has kept us from death until now.” They declared that the only way for the Israelites to stay alive was to believe in a God who performed miracles for His people. God only opened the way for the Israelites because of the faith of Joshua and Caleb.
The Israelites did not respond to Joshua and Caleb’s exhortations and even tried to stone them. As a result, the adult generation of those who came out of Egypt could not enter Canaan as promised, except for Joshua and Caleb. On the other hand, the Israelites-those who were children during the Exodus from Egypt or were born in the wilderness-entered Canaan, led by Joshua, who took Moses’ place.
We must set our own goals and live up to them. Live in a way that both Heavenly Parent and history will want to go forward with us. Let our lives be an example for humanity and our future descendants. Furthermore, we need to become strong and courageous in our actions, just as God told Joshua, “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, nor be discouraged; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Thus, God reveals His will to the central figures for the accomplishment of His providence. If God leads the battle against the enemy, we will certainly win the battle. The question is what our purpose is. The goal of life approved by the secular world will not pass. Our purpose for life must gain approval in the world of the heart.
Just as God asked Joshua and Caleb, we too need to be strong and courageous. Therefore, we must simply go forward with our best efforts. God will invisibly support and protect us. All we have to do is move forward toward the realization of the higher goal. This path will lead us to victory.