Be Strong and Courageous

Joshua 1: 1-9 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. ³ I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. ⁴ Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates —all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. ⁵ No one will be able to stand 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. ⁶ Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

⁷ “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. ⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; 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. ⁹ 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.”

The essence of your strength is the presence of your God!

If you are going to do anything for God, if you are going to know His victories, you must stand on His promises. What Joshua fulfilled was God’s promise to Abraham 600 years earlier (Genesis 12):

1.      The promise of a large amount of land for the Israelites.

2.      The promise of God’s presence.

We must trust in Him because He WILL keep His promises. But we must also realize that when we do trust in Him we will be tested! If we expect this it won’t throw us! And then we must be obedient. If you believe – you obey! “Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you.”

1.      Hear the word. Receive massive amounts of God’s words.

2.      Know the word. Meditate on it day and night. Process it! Memorize scripture.

3.      Do the word. It’s not the hearer of the word, but the doer of the word that is blessed. Make disciples! Forgive people! Love them! Serve!

4.      Blessings will follow. “Your way will be prosperous and you will have success.” (Just remember this is not earthly, but eternal success.