God had given a word of command and encouragement to Joshua, the leader of Israel, when he and the Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land. The Israelites had just spent 40 year in the desert, Moses and Aaron had died, and now they were about to go into the land and conquer it. If you know anything about this story it is not a small task to undertake, but God was with Joshua and working on his behalf. There are three things in the text that we need to apply to our lives.
Joshua 1:3-9 says this: 3I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5No one will be able to stand 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. 6Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors 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. 8Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; 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. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
- God’s Promise. God made a promise centuries before Joshua was to step into the land. God reiterated the promises to Joshua that He made Moses, Abraham, and all who came before. We know that God is trustworthy and true to the promises He makes.
- God’s Encouragement. He told Joshua to be strong and courageous three time. God said, “[I] will be with you wherever you go”. Did you notice that God did not say, “Good Luck” and leave? He did not give Joshua a major task and abandon the Israelites. He was going to be with them until the promise was fulfilled.
- God’s Word. God told Joshua to “Be careful to obey all the lay my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.”
Are we applying God’s Promises, Encouragement, and Word to our lives? What are areas of your life that need to be conquered? Are you going through life feeling abandoned and discouraged? Life can be very overwhelming. Circumstances can feed fear and discouragement. We can feel lost. God has promised to be with us. He has given us His word that He will never leave not forsake us. Are you following Him? Do you feel lost or need counseling? We would love to talk to you. Please go to our Consult Form page and fill out the information. We would love to talk to you.
