Josh 1:5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you
Moses’ closing acts before his death was to give charge to Joshua. It was a daunting task to fill in Moses’ shoes and lead the Israelites to the promised land. Moses was disqualified because of the people, who was Joshua in comparison? Joshua as a warrior had only succeeded with Moses present connecting with God on their behalf. Joshua needed encouragement not from any man but from the Lord.
The Lord would strength him to battle while He was a shield for him for the rest of his life. An assurance that “no man shall be able to stand before you” was like a sneak preview of the end of a movie yet to be produced. It did not mean that men would not come against him, it meant no man will prevail.
Offensive weapons are good and necessary, they fall short in comparison to a shield. How many times do we wish the battle would stop, instead, the Lord becomes the shield to protect us from all the fiery darts. Shields are not offensive but defensive weapons. At times when you get weary from fighting, all you need is a shield. Psa 3:2-3, “2 Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah 3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.”