Joshua 1

The book of Joshua is SWEET!!! I am so excited that we get to study it together this month. It picks up where Deuteronomy leaves off, and it marks a transition for us. Where Moses was a picture for us of the law, Joshua is a picture of Jesus. Moses couldn’t take the people into the Promised Land, just like the law cannot bring a person into real relationship with God. Moses brought them right to the border, but they needed Joshua to lead them in. This is like us… the law can bring us right to the place of decision, but we need Jesus to bring us into the glorious reality of eternal life.

Here in chapter one, we see God speaking to Joshua. 3 times He tells Joshua to “be strong and courageous”. Fear was a real thing that Joshua was dealing with, but the Lord wanted Him to take courage. What was Joshua’s strength and courage to be founded on? It was to be rooted and grounded in the PROMISES OF GOD. Joshua wasn’t told to be strong in himself, or to take courage for courage sake. Joshua’s strength and courage were directly connected to God’s promise to be with him, to never leave him nor forsake him.

Joshua was also given a way to KEEP this courage and strength. He was to make God’s Word his meditation day and night… Thinking about it, talking about it, keeping it right at the center of all he was doing. God had a marvelous plan, and He wanted to use Joshua in a marvelous way; He just needed Joshua to TRUST IN HIM.

It is the same for us today. We can be strong and courageous as we STAND ON THE PROMISES OF GOD. What has God promised you? As you read through the opening chapters of Joshua this week, make note of the promises God gives, and allow them to stir up strength to stand for Jesus, and courage to be a bold witness for Him. The task Joshua had been given seemed impossible, but he could do it with boldness as he rested in God’s promise. The Lord would say to us today, “have I not commanded you? Be strong and very courageous!”