March 3, 2025
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Joshua and Timothy? Here’s today’s reading:
Joshua 1 (NIV)
Joshua Installed as Leader
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2“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.……Continue Reading
Ok. You received a new job. Lead over 2 million people into a new land and conquer it. Without God. No way. With God. An adventure. Like life. Every day. Tough situations. Difficult people. Or jerks as I heard from the pulpit recently. Temptations. BUT GOD says. I’ll never leave you or forsake you. More than conquerors!!
Joshua 1
God recognizes the transfer of leadership from Moses to Joshua and keeps His promise to be with Him in that leadership role and fulfil the covenant He had made with them to enter the promised land. He asks just one thing of Joshua and the people, be strong and courageous keeping the law at all times. So simple and yet even today we find so challenging to keep God first and obey Him in all things. Most often selfishness and fear are what prevents that. If we are not strong and courageous, we fall victim to our own ways and desires or we waiver in the face of adversity or opposition. But as it was in this chapter and still is today, God promises to be with His people and give them victory when we keep Him first and obey His desires for our lives.
Joshua 1
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.””
Joshua 1:9 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/jos.1.9.NIV
This phrase is repeated several times. I think the Lord really wants us to pay attention and remember it!
I get a sense that the people of Israel were 100% with the Lord God! Joshua was told no man on earth can stand before him, an incredible promise. Imagine any man today having that kind of power from God.
Joshua 1
After Moses has died; God is directly speaking to Joshua. He is telling him to obey all the commandments that Moses has given and to go in and possess the land. God will be with Joshua as He has been with Moses. God tells Joshua to be strong and of courage and not fear for God is going with them. He also reminds Joshua that this book of the law shall not depart out of their mouth; but shall meditate on it day and night. And to observe and follow what it says. Then they will be prosperous and have good success. vs 8. If you are on God`s side you will succeed. If you remember Joshua was a faithful man who loved the Lord. This was why he was chosen to be the leader of Israel after Moses. Years earlier when representatives of Israel were sent out to spy the land; only Joshua and Caleb trusted the Lord that He would be with them to conquer the land. The rest were fearful and caused Israel to fear and rebel against God. As a result, all the people 20 years and older would die in the wilderness and they all did. Including Moses and Aaron. Only Joshua and Caleb of the older ones above 20 were allowed to enter the promised land. These were two faithful men. Here is what the Bible says about a faithful man. Proverbs 20: 6,7 {Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.} God bless us as we seek to be faithful to Him.
Joshua had some big shoes to fill, but it is interesting how clearly God reenforces to Joshua that he is dead. There is no turning back from the direction God is leading and you are now the guy. And yet God promises to be with him just like He was with Moses and because of that He encourages him 3 times to be strong and courageous. But those promises are not outside something Joshua needs to do as well. He must know the law and follow it. In it will be all the assurances of God and the examples of how God provided for His people. And Joshua as a wise leader reminds the Reubenites, etc. of their commitment to join their brothers in their subduing the land on the east side of the Jordan. How comforting to Joshua that they express their commitment to him.
Joshua 1
”Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”“
Joshua 1:9
A mighty task for Joshua, but God assures him that He is with him. If we are ever wondering what God means, He often repeats Himself. And gives us a thesaurus so to speak.
Strong, and of good courage – physical strength and mental fortitude. What is it not? Not fearful or dismayed. Not worried or concerned.
Why? God is with you the whole time, wherever and whenever you go.