‘And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, Your fathers lived of old beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods. Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan, and made his offspring many …”’. The passage goes on describe the entire history of the people of God, making it clear that all of it is God’s initiative.

As we look back on our own lives, we too can see the hand of God, though often in mysterious and unexpected ways. St John Henry Newman wrote, in his poem ‘Lead, Kindly Light’: ‘Lead, Kindly Light, amidst th’encircling gloom, Lead Thou me on! The night is dark, and I am far from home, Lead Thou me on! Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see The distant scene; one step enough for me’.

May we place our hand in the hand of God, and walk forward trustfully in the love and mercy of God; and may He be very close to you.