Does God keep his promises? The book of Joshua answers with a resounding yes! The great leader of the Exodus has died. The people of Israel have not yet received the land promised to their forefathers centuries before. Giants and walled cities defend that land. So frightening were they that an entire generation of Israelite wandered in the wilderness rather than risk trying to conquer the land they knew was a land of milk and honey.

A new generation has risen and a new leader along with them. As we'll see in this opening chapter of Joshua, God is about to use Joshua to fulfill his promise of a rich and abundant land for his people. Before he does, he gives Joshua some needed encouragement and instruction. Joshua then gives his first orders to the nation and they enthusiastically affirm his call to be their leader.

This story is not just history, but is a story about God and his faithfulness, and the plan he has to bless his people. It reveals to us the God we serve today and his ways.