http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%201-4&version=NIV
Joshua 1:7-9 " 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 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." (v.2)
That is what the Lord told Joshua as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. The people were fixing to receive the promises they had from God about this land. But notice that the Lord tells the people to get ready.
We are promised many things in the Word of God as well as New Testament believers. But are we ready for them? Are we walking in purity and holiness and obedience? Do we want the promises of God in our lives, but not want the sacrificial living God desires for us as well?
I find it comforting that the Lord tells Joshua to be strong and courageous. On today's culture, tolerance is what everyone espouses, except when it comes to Christianity.
Christianity puts forth an exclusive way to God. The culture says that is intolerant. How do you respond? By being strong and courageous. Be strong with your convictions for the Lord, and yet speak the truth in love.
We are not here to please people, but to please God. The Gospel is offensive to so many people because of it being exclusive. God ordained that man be saved through His Son Jesus Christ, and He is the only way. (John 14:6)
Joshua was strong. He was obedient. He studied the Word and fought for His God. I love Joshua. I love that he respected Moses and even more so honored and obeyed and loved the Lord.
As Easter nears, be ready to hear the atheists, and agnostics, and heretics, talk about how Jesus' death on the cross means nothing to them. Be strong in telling people about what Jesus did and how it does matter, yet do so in a winsome manner. (1 Peter 3:15) Remember, we are to proclaim the message of the Gospel, God will do the saving of the souls.
Get ready as we continue to read through the book of Joshua. We'll read about Jericho, the day the sun stood still, and how the lands were distributed to the 12 tribes of Israel.
Some say that Joshua is to the Old Testament what Acts is to the New Testament. It is a book that transitions from the beginnings of time to how God would continue to work throughout the Old Testament.
So, enjoy this look at a great man of faith. Continue in prayer, continue in your readings, and become strong and courageous in the Lord.
Soli Deo Gloria.
Today's Post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer.
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I like the set of verses you pointed out. Talking about a word for us today, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
ReplyDeleteGod brought the people out of bondage to bring them into the promises of God. Joshua, a man full of faith, has been waiting 40 years for this moment! Joshua knew the dangers which lay ahead. There were formidable enemies still dwelling in the walled cities in the Promised Land.
So God repeats over and over: Be strong and courageous… I am with you. As we walk with God we are going to face some big obstacles or walled cities in our life. God never said we would be without problems. But think of the word we are reading. We are encouraged to be strong in the Lord! Just as the spies are send inside Jericho, we are sent right into the enemies walled cities to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to those who will listen.
Right into the middle of a total godless world, a world given over to every godless deed imaginable, we march right in to tell them about the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. At the store, at work, at school, in our daily affairs of life we will find some who will heed the message like Rehab the Harlot did. What faith she had. A woman given over the pleasures of this life in a city marked for destruction. Yet she applies faith in God and her life is changed. She even becomes the great..great … grandmother of our Lord Jesus Christ! Yes, God is willing to save anyone who is willing to receive the gospel message. The walls that are exalted against the knowledge of God will come down by faith!
Do be discouraged or afraid as we go forth. Don’t let these walled cities before you damper your faith toward God. Don’t let the enemy say you aren’t good enough to tell someone about Christ. Be strong in the Lord. This is the beauty of God’s work. He isn’t looking for the somebodies but the nobodies who will have faith and obedience to ask Him to be used by Him. We all qualify but the choice is ours.
ch 3 is worth making another post about! Talking about facing obstacles in our life. God told them to cross the Jordan at flood stage! When the river was out of its banks. Like why couldn't it have been during the dry season when the river would be but a little stream? I guess we wouldn't have the testimonies to share with each other of what God has done for us! But notice, the river didn't divide until the priest's foot touched the water. Some obstacles we face will not move until we press right against them with our obedience and faith. Something is going to move and it won't be our faith but rather the obstacle hindering our path with God!
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