Joshua 1:5-9 "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. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 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. 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. 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."
Moses had just died and turned the reigns over to Joshua. After wandering in the desert for 40 years, Joshua faces the awesome transition to leadership without benefit of Moses to mentor him and the timing couldn't be more stressful. They are about to face enemies in the "promised land" and he must rally the Israelites. Isn't it interesting that the Lord tells Joshua three times "Be strong and courageous"! There are two more important messages: Follow God's directions precisely and remember He will always be with you. This is good advice for us as well. We face the challenge of the unknown with each new day. God has a promised land for us to claim in each day. There is work to be done and lives to be claimed for Christ. But it is critical that we meditate on, and stay in, God's word. I am greatly challenged by verse 8 to want to spend more time immersed in the word, because then I'll be more likely to carry it out. I don't have to worry about "over obeying" Him. And what tremendous encouragement in verse 9 that the Lord, Himself, will be with me continually!
Be strong and courageous, as you claim your share of the Promised Land today, and every day!
Rob Smith
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