“After the death of Moses, the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying: “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, ARISE, GO over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I AM GIVING TO THEM—the children of Israel.” (Joshua 1:1-2) Moses was one of the great men of the Bible, who spoke with God like not many others did, (“face to face” (Exodus 33:11)) Now God is informing Joshua that he is taking Moses’ place so, HE NEEDS COURAGE!
- THE COMFORT OF GODS ENCOURAGEMENT: “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I WILL BE WITH YOU. I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU.” (Joshua 1:5)
- THE COMFORT OF GODS PRESENCE: God says, “I WILL BE WITH YOU”, “Be STRONG and of GOOD COURAGE, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” (Joshua 1:6) Was Joshua afraid? No, Joshua was a seasoned warrior. But Joshua knew the trouble Moses had trying to get the Israelites to be obedient to God. “Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and GO OUT, FIGHT with Amalek. So, JOSHUA DID as Moses said to him, and FOUGHT WITH AMALEK.” (Exodus 17:9-10) But, Joshua knew the trouble Moses had trying to get the Israelites to be obedient to God.
- THE COMFORT OF GODS WORD: “Only be STRONG and VERY COURAGEOUS, that you may OBSERVE TO DO according to ALL THE LAW (the Bible, the Book of the Law was their Bible) which Moses My servant commanded you; DO NOT TURN FROM IT to the right hand or to the left, that you may PROSPER WHEREVER YOU GO.” (Joshua 1:7) God is telling all of us to be strong and courageous DOING ALL that IS WRITTEN in the WORD OF GOD. This is what Christianity IS ALL ABOUT, READING and KEEPING God’s Word.
Jesus said, “If you love Me, KEEP My commandments (Obey my Word).” (John 14:15) “I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have TREASURED THE WORDS (God’s Word) of His mouth More than my necessary food.” (Job 23:12) “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD.” (Psalms 119:9) “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalms 119:105) “…be DOERS OF THE WORD, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22) If we are hearers and NOT DOERS of the word, we will hear these words… “I NEVER KNEW YOU; depart from me…” (Matt. 7:21-23)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham