Joshua 1:1-2 – “After Moses the Lord’s servant died, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant: ² “Moses my servant is dead. Get ready!  Cross the Jordan River.  Lead these people into the land that I am ready to hand over to them.  ³ I am handing over to you every place you set foot, as I promised Moses.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I was drawn to the Book and Life of Joshua.  Joshua had been more than a disciple of Moses.   He had served as a servant, a son, and a trainee.   He was a constant companion of the man who had experiences and revelations beyond that of any human.

He was on the mountain with Moses for those 40 days, seeing and hearing what Moses saw and heard.   He was in the Tent of Meeting and even remained behind when Moses went out to the people.   He was in training for reigning.  He saw, heard, and felt the presence of God.

When Moses died, God had to do a transformational work in Joshua.  He had become overly dependent upon Moses.  Moses, the friend of God, always heard and knew what to do.  Joshua simply followed his lead.  What a place of comfort, right?   You are there; you see, hear, and feel everything, but it’s not your responsibility.  You are a second and get to enjoy the fruits of victory without the pain of leadership.

Now God says, “Joshua, Moses is dead.  You can no longer depend on him. You have to depend on Me.  So, be strong and courageous.  I will be with you.”

But we have to ask, “Didn’t Joshua have the training so that he would have crumbled under the weight of responsibility? He had spent time on the mountain and in the tent.”   God’s presence provides the power to fulfill our purpose.  Without that presence, we are like a fish out of water. 

1 Peter 1:4- “We are reborn into a perfect inheritance that can never be defiled, and never diminished…:

I Peter 1:9 – “For you are reaping the harvest of your faith – the full salvation promised you – your soul’s victory!” 

As Joshua learned, God’s presence transforms. Peter said in 1 Peter 1:22, “Now, because of your obedience to the truth, you Have purified your souls, and this Empowers you to be full of love for your fellow believers. “  

The presence of God produces power that transforms and overflows with the manifestation of God.   God is love!  The presence enables us to Be!   Being allows us to live pleasing to God.  It enables us to abandon the old life, thoughts, and deeds.  It empowers us to reject every form of evil, live without hypocrisy or contradiction, and not even have a twinge of jealousy, envy, or covetousness.  

We become Living Stones of the Living Stone.  We are being assembled into a house (sanctuary) for God.  As a fully formed house, with our eyes on the prize, we are enabled to divorce ourselves from that carnal nature that resides in us and seeks control.   We live in complete freedom.

1 Peter 4:1b-2 – “…for whoever has died in his body is done with sin.  2 So live the rest of your earthly life, NO LONGER CONCERNED with human desires but CONSUMED with what brings pleasure to God.” [Emphasis mine]

Joshua learned that truth as he followed Moses, and Moses followed God. Peter learned that truth as he followed Jesus.  Like Joshua, he enjoyed the presence without the responsibility.   Now, he is equipped and can manifest Jesus!

Your life experiences have brought you to the place you are.  Now, it is time to step into God’s purpose and BE and DO what He purposed for you. 

Victory is here and ahead.  Victory is seized, and it does not get dropped into our laps.  We have been trained by the Spirit in our experiences.   Take that training and start reigning. I

The chapters of your book of life are still being written.   The final paragraphs are up to you.  Be Strong and Courageous!  God’s plan is Victory, not just for you but for the Kingdom.

Rejoice in the reality that in Christ, you are free and secure!