Following our reading and devotional from yesterday, you may be asking how to continue to move forward and not forsake the promise. Let’s look at God’s words to Joshua.
After the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “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. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates- all the Hittite country-to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 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. Joshua 1:1-9
Go through and count how many times, in this one tiny portion of scripture God told Joshua, “Be strong and courageous”. I believe He was trying to make a point.
The only way to move forward into our promise is to be strong and courageous.
Friend, you were not created to live in defeat. You were not created to tremble in fear at every turn. NO! You were called to be strong and courageous, just like Joshua.
For you Biblical scholars, I am fully aware God was talking directly to Joshua, but I will be honest, I believe every promise in the Book is mine. Is it in line with God’s character for me to live a strong and courageous life? Yes. Is it in line with God’s character for me to walk in the fullness of my salvation and His blessing over my life? Yes.
Knowing that, along with the fact that God has directly given me this word to hold as my own, I will walk in full confidence that I am strong and courageous, and I will see the fullness of my promised land.
Has this reading stirred your spirit today? I hope it has. Let God continue to stir that deep place inside of you. That place that longs to live a full life. A life without compromise. A life that reaches for more even if everyone around you is satisfied with settling.
Take a minute and meet with God. Ask Him to give you a glimpse of your promised land. Not as you imagine it, but as He does. Let that sink into your heart. Will you believe Him?
Spend some time today, soaking in that promise. He Who began a good work will be faithful to complete it.
365 Days in the Presence 