Joshua becomes the spokesman of God and narrates to the people how God had been guiding them from the call of Abraham till the possession of the promised land. God had always stood by Israel and led them through the struggles of life. "It was not by your sword or by your bow" - it was the mighty, powerful and loving hand of the Lord that delivered them and guarded them.

We can look back on our lives to see how God has been the guiding force. It was his love that first created us. And it is his love that constantly wraps us with care and concern. He has known us from all eternity. He has loved us from the moment we were conceived in our mother's wombs.

Do I realize all this? Am I thankful to God for all this? Am I equally grateful for all the pleasant and unpleasant things that have happened to me in my life? Or do I grumble because God's plan of action has not been according to my blueprint?

We need to see the loving hand of God in every little event in our lives. Or else we may feel totally miserable. Once we have learnt the ways of God's dealings within us, we can respond with equal love and faith.