08/19/2008
Joshua 1:6 - 9 (HCSB) 6“Be strong and courageous, for you will distribute the land I swore to their fathers to give them as an inheritance. 7Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. 8This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night, so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. 9Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
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Joshua is now the leader of the people. God spoke to Joshua commanding that now is the time to cross Jordan and take the Promised Land.
Joshua is commanded to be strong and courageous on two counts. First on taking the land, God has promised it and again reaffirms the promise. And second, Joshua is commanded to be strong and courageous with regard to God’s instructions. That is, Joshua (and Israel too) must be careful to keep all the commandments and instructions given to Moses. They are to recite the scriptures constantly so that they always hear what God has instructed.
We too need to be reminded of God’s instructions. If we fail to spend time in God’s word daily, then we are not being strong and courageous in His commands. For we cannot be strong and courageous in faith if we are not first strong and courageous in His word.
But if we do these things, God gives us a final promise: “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
How blessed it is to know that God does not hide up in the clouds just watching us to see what happens, but that He is with us, guiding us, protecting us, and comforting us at all times.
Jeff Justus
Cleff Publishing
www.cleffpublishing.com
©2008 Cleff Publishing, all rights reserved.
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