“There are days that go by where it seems God is hiding from me or has possibly left the planet. Then I press in and play the spiritual game of hide and seek and begin to see that God’s fingerprints are on everything and that He has been with me everywhere I have gone. He has been there the whole time-- loving me, holding me, strengthening me, caring for me. I am never alone!” (Step by Step 6/19/09)
This week I have began to walk through a study of the life of Joshua. Moses is dead and now Joshua is left to lead God’s people into the Promised Land.
Joshua 1:1-5
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea on the west. 5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
After the Lord tells Joshua what He expects of him, He then gives Joshua the formula to complete what has been asked. I am sure that with Moses’ death that Joshua had many feelings of fear and confusion, and more questions than answers to be found. For example: After all of the miracles that took place why did you let Moses die? Did Moses mess up and now, if I mess up, are you going to replace me? Who am I to lead these people? Has someone made a mistake? Have you made a mistake?
OK. There is no guarantee that Joshua had any of these questions. But I am 100% sure that these would be the type of thoughts that were flying through my mind and causing me to doubt and question God, His ways, and if He really understood what was going on.
In this next part of the dialogue from the Lord to Joshua it almost seems that the Lord is answering Joshua’s questions before they are spoken. If Joshua was not going to deal with doubt, fear, discouragement, and insecurity, then this portion of the conversation would had been unnecessary.
Joshua 1:6-9
6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Word’s to live by in order to succeed and be prosperous…
1. Be Strong
2. Be Courageous
3. Be Careful to Obey
4. Meditate on God’s Word
5. Do Not Be Terrified
6. Do Not Be Discouraged
7. GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO!!!
Dear Lord,
Thank you for your promise to always be there no matter what I am facing. I ask for you to fill me with a faith and determination to not only read of your provision but to live it. Help me be strong and courageous. Please forgive me for my doubts and fears and allow me to be an example of a mighty warrior for you.
I love you- AMEN
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