Joshua 1:1-9 – “After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2 “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. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5 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. 6 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. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law 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. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 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.” NKJV

What a morning, the birds are happily chirping, grasshoppers hopping, a hawk flying in the distance landing in a nearby tree, sounds of the community waking up, coffee tasting good and the Word and the Voice of the Lord is refreshing.  Hallelujah! Lord, thank you for bringing me into this new! Now, let’s go back to my title question which brought me to the passage, we are focused on.

God had given Moses and Israel great promises and clear instructions and now Moses is dead.  The leadership has been transferred to Joshua.  He’s young by Moses’ standards, but not a spring chicken. He’s seen leadership under God in action and has served his apprenticeship well and is ready to take the reins and lead. God gives him the command as to what he is to do then in verse 6 God adds, “Be strong and of good courage….” God then gives more wonderful news about what was going to happen and in verse 7 says, “Only be strong and very courageous….” a little stronger. Then again, gives information as to what will happen and it’s good news and in verse 9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, or dismayed…”

About this time, if I’m Joshua I’m asking, “Lord just what are you leaving out in this discussion? Three times now you’ve warned me to be strong and courageous and even very courageous just what am I facing that you are not telling me?”  Have you ever felt that way when God gives you something to do and tells you how great it’s going to be and as you begin all hell breaks loose?  He left that part out, but as you stayed true to His instructions and didn’t revert to your own understanding or way He came through in the end!

Friends, just because you face opposition doesn’t mean that it’s not God’s will for you to be doing what He directed you to do. The very fact that the devil doesn’t want it done could be a clear indicator that you are on the right track if your heart is clear and you know that you know that you know that you know you heard the direction of the Holy Spirit on this one. I’ve been there and there have been times I wanted to quit but didn’t and, in the end, it was exactly as God said it would be!

Through the years I’ve learned to: Make Him my first focus. I have purposed to seek first the King and His Kingdom. I’ve learned to seek to clearly understand what He has said.  It is vital that we determine that we are on solid biblical ground. Then, it is essential that we make the commitment to see it through to the end even if it kills us.  We go through whatever we face Praising God all the way through the troubles and trials.

In the end, God always does what He said He would do even if we come through with a few scars. So, this morning know that whatever He promised He will do, whatever He instructed you can follow His instructions with confidence that He will keep His end of the bargain.

Blessings as you go through this beautiful day in the Lord!