Understand Joshua 1:1-9 What is it saying to you?
Good day Beloveds
The Word of God is a precious gift which is why you mustn't just read it. You need to understand it so you can live according to it. This leads to the manifestation of God's promises.
Today we look at Joshua chapter one verses 1 to 9. Let me give you a bit of a background. Joshua is a newly appointed leader for the nation of Israel chosen by God. This nation consists of twelve tribes, these tribes are descendants of the sons of Israel also known as Jacob.
Israel was the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham. Abraham is the man that God promised to make a nation out of him. This is the nation, these people Joshua is leading. Joshua has succeeded Moses who just died, Moses was the first leader of this nation. He was just the best, he was the only man who was called a friend of God, and he got to see God. He taught the people how to know the one true God, to obey and fear him. It wasn't easy as they were mostly rebellious but he was devoted to what the Lord had called him to do.
Joshua has big shoes to fill, he is a bit anxious because of the big task awaiting him. Joshua was Moses' assistant from a young age, he was also among the twelve spies who went to scout the promised land. Only he and Caleb believed God when he said they could conquer the people on the land God gave them.
Now let's look at what is happening in chapter 1 of the book of Joshua. Remember even though this is from the Old Testament there is a lot that can learn and apply to your life.
[1] After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, [2] “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them.
Many of us struggle with the concept of death and we often think it's against God's will. Verses 1 and 2 show us that God approves of this death, he didn't see it as a misfortune because he knew his plans would still prevail. This death was the consequence of Moses' disobedience to God's instruction. For better understanding read Numbers 20:2-13. I am not saying people pass on because of disobedience, I am saying, in this case, it was due to that and God was behind it.
Even though Moses disobeyed God and he died due to that, God still acknowledged his servanthood. We make mistakes but God does acknowledge the good that we do. We also need to understand that God values servanthood. Are you God's servant? Use this time to reflect. Do you seek what God has planned for you so his will can be done through you? Or do you tell God what you want and expect him to go with it?
"The time has come for you to lead these people". We want things when we want them, I am also guilty of this. God shows us that everything is about his time. He decided the time Moses died, the Israelites would enter the promised land and when Joshua would lead. We are talking about over a million people, I believe Joshua felt overwhelmed but God knew he was the man to do this job. He is the one who chose Joshua because he qualified him for the job.
Reflection time: have you felt certain things God called you to do are too big for you? Yes, it happens to most of us. Read this verse like God was talking to you and not Joshua. Do you see that God chose you at his appointed time?
[3] I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— [4] from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’
Pay special attention to verse 3, God is making a promise to Joshua, it's the same promise that he made to Moses. It's Joshua's first day on the job and God is treating him as capable and competent just like Moses. Has God made promises to you? Do you believe what he said? For these promises to manifest we need faith, to believe God even if we don't know how what he says will happen.
[5] No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.
I want you to read verse 5 slowly and carefully. These are not just words the Lord is saying to Joshua, he is saying them to you too. The Lord is telling you what his presence in your life represents. We often live in fear and try to use our strength to protect ourselves. Today I want you to transform your mind about this, pray and ask the Lord to help you believe what he is saying to you. I want you to say it out loud and with conviction, "No one will be able to stand against me as long as I live. For the Lord will be with me as he was with Moses." That sends shivers down my spine. Read it again and again until your mind believes it. The Lord said "no one" and "as long as you live".
It doesn't matter who you face, whether giants or who, they won't stand against you. Not just today, next week, or 10 years to come but for all of your days while on earth. Isn't God just amazing, he isn't waiting for you to ask for this, he already promised that he would do it. However, you need to believe him, if you are struggling pray about it.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for your promises, I am thankful that you didn't wait for me to ask. Through your love and faithfulness, you promised that no one will be able to stand against me as long as I live and that you will be with me. I want to believe what you are saying but I have doubts. Please help me with my unbelieve and change my mind. In Jesus' name. Amen
The next promise God made to you he said, "I will not fail you or abandon you." There are times that we feel abandoned, not just by humans but by God. At times being abandoned by humans causes us to feel like it is God who abandoned us. I know that it's hard but try to remember who God is, he has no flaws, and he is always faithful and good. Even though all you see is failures in your life, God has not failed. There is so much that he wants to do in your life. Trust him, believe him because it's for your benefit.
Prayer
Dear Lord I have been hurt so many times, I feel rejected and abandoned. All I see are failures in my life. I know your word says that you will never fail me nor abandon me. However that is how I feel, please heal me and comfort me. Give me the strength to see beyond my failures, to forgive everyone who has hurt me and to forgive myself. In Jesus's name, Amen.
[6] “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. [7] Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.
God is all-knowing, he knows our strengths and weaknesses, he knows our thoughts emotions and everything about us. God was fully aware of Joshua's feelings and concerns and he comforted him. He knew that Joshua lacked courage, but this didn't make God doubt that Joshua could carry out the assignment he gave him. Do you have all these emotions that discourage you? It's okay, the Lord our God created us with emotions and is fully aware of them. If you have a moment where the emotions take over to the point that you can't obey God pray about it.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you know me better than I know myself. I know that you are aware of what I feel right now. Please take these emotions away, I don't want to submit to what my flesh is saying because I want to obey what you are instructing me to do. Thank you for always being there for me, in Jesus's name I ask. Amen
[8] Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. [9] This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Do you now see how God wants a good relationship with us? God has given us instructions that he wants us to obey, the book of Instruction was a different thing in the times of Joshua, but in our time we can view it as the Bible. The Bible instructs us on how to love and honour God, and how to obey Jesus for us to inherit eternity If we want to prosper and succeed we first need to obey God in everything. Sometimes we believe prosperity and success come from working hard and having a high-paying Job. That's just the fallen world's way, in Christ we work hard to please God with the help of the Holy Spirit.
I pray that your mind will be transformed. That you honour and obey God, trusting that he is with you and wants only the best for you. So let's be strong and courageous no matter the trials we face. No need to be afraid as the Lord our God promised to be with us wherever we go. Do your part and our heavenly Father will do the rest.
In Jesus' name. Amen
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