Philistines.

The great encouragement given to Joshua in entering on his hard and
perilous enterprise is twice repeated here: 'As I was with Moses, so
will I be with thee.' Did Joshua remember how, nearly forty years
since, he had fronted the mob of cowards with the very same assurance,
and how the answer had been a shower of stones? The cowards are all
dead,--will their sons believe the assurance now? If we do believe that
God is with us, we shall be ready to cross Jordan in flood, and to meet
the enemies that are waiting on the other bank. If we do not, we shall
not dare greatly, nor succeed in what we attempt. The small successes
of material wealth and gratified ambition may be ours, but for all the
higher duties and nobler conflicts that become a man, the condition of
achievement and victory is steadfast faith in God's presence and help.

That assurance--which we may all have if we cling to Jesus, in whom God
comes to be with every believing soul--is the only basis on which the
command to Joshua, thrice repeated, can wisely or securely be rested.
It is mockery to say to a man conscious of weakness, and knowing that
there are evils which must surely come, and evils which may possibly
come, against which he is powerless, 'Don't be afraid' unless you can
show him good reason why he need not be. And there is only one reason
which can still reasonable dread in a human heart that has to front
'all the ills that flesh is heir to,' and sees behind them all the grim
form of death. He ought to be afraid, unless--unless what? Unless he
has heard and taken into his inmost soul the Voice that said to Joshua,
'I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee: be strong and of a good
courage,' or, still more sweet and peace-bringing, the Voice that said
to the frightened crew of the fishing-boat in the storm and the
darkness,' It is I; be not afraid.' If we know that Christ is with us,