Possessing All God Has For You
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“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. 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. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have 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.” Joshua 1:7-9 (NIV)
Imagine for a moment what Joshua must have felt when Moses died, and he was called by God to succeed him. Joshua was given the assignment to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land, something that not even Moses was able to accomplish! If you’ve ever felt inadequate for what God has called you to do, then you can relate.
As the book of Joshua opens, the Israelites are camped along the east bank of the Jordan River at the edge of the Promised Land. In verses one and two the Bible says, “After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ‘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. …’” Did you catch Joshua’s former title – “Moses’ aide.” Joshua had faithfully served Moses as he led Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness for 40 years! Now his role dramatically changed! God was saying to Joshua, “You’re My man! My hand is now on you to lead the people into the Promised Land. Moses has done his part in leading Israel out of Egypt. Now I’ve chosen you to lead them into Canaan!”
In verse five, God assures Joshua with this promise, “No 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.” Then twice in verses six and seven, God says to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous … Be strong and very courageous.” In fact, the chapter closes in verse 18 with God repeating it a third time, “Only be strong and courageous!” Why do you suppose God did that? I’m no Joshua, but I imagine it was because God knew he wasn’t feeling very strong or courageous. Joshua never asked for the job. He was content in being Moses’ aid! I imagine he must have wondered how he was going to be able to lead the people in the Promised Land if not even Moses was able to do it. He must have been afraid.
What a lesson we learn from Joshua. He shows us that courage is not the absence of fear. Despite his fears, Joshua stepped up in faith and stepped out in obedience to all that God called him to do! That is the kind of person God is looking for in our world today! God calls us, as He did His servant Joshua, to a task that demands His power and His provision and His presence to accomplish! It’s only natural to be overwhelmed and afraid when God gives you such an assignment! Courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s just believing God in spite of our fears!
Then in verse eight, God gives Joshua the key to success! He wasn’t setting Joshua up for failure any more than He would you or me when He calls us. He says to Joshua, “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. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Do you want to be prosperous and successful in whatever God calls you to do? Too often we may think that prosperity and success come from having power, influence, ambition and money. But God told Joshua in order to succeed he must Keep God’s Word, Meditate on it day and night, and be careful to Do everything written in it.
This is still the only strategy for successful, victorious Christian living today! Follow Joshua’s example and you will possess all the good things God has for you as well!