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 

Have you ever wondered what God might be leaving out when He gives you direction and inspires your heart to tackle a certain task or ministry?  I have!  This situation with Joshua illuminates the need fact that, often, when God sends you forth there is much He did not tell you.  You have to learn to TRUST HIM completely and RELY on Him fully or you will be overcome with the obstacles you encounter.

Consider with me the fact that three times God said to Joshua, “Be strong and of good courage…” (v.6), “Only be strong and very courageous…” (v.7), and “Be strong and of good courage…” (v.9). God, what is it in the fulfillment of your directive that I am going to encounter that necessitates You telling me THREE TIMES to “Be Strong and Courageous?”  I am not asking for FULL DISCLOSURE but when I hear that I immediately wonder, WHAT HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO?

The Promise of God that “no man would be able to stand against him” was conditional on his being, STRONG, COURAGEOUS, and OBEDIENT.  The explicit condition was obedience and adherence to the Law of God he had learned through Moses.  The explicit condition was that he not deviate even slightly from the path prescribed by God.  He could not adlib and wing it, but must follow the prescribed path.  If he did that and was strong and courageous then God would make him and his army invincible and prosperity would be their normal condition.  God’s word would cause him and Israel to be prosperous in battle, in their economy, and in their spiritual condition.  It would result in their achieving the objective.  Their end would be a success!  Even if they faced seeming insurmountable odds they were to never allow dismay or discouragement to settle in and prevail.  Joshua as the leader of the nation was to lead by example and demonstrate courage and strength following the Law of Moses and setting his face like a flint toward the objective set before them.  That kind of leadership inspires the people to follow.

God did not give him the details about the obstacles and enemies to be faced.  He did not tell him the problems that would arise from within their own ranks and the opportunities for discouragement and despair.  What God told Him was you do this and YOU WILL SUCCEED.  That was enough for Joshua and should be enough for us.  I have, in the past, cried to the LORD to give me FULL DISCLOSURE only to realize that it would have been more harmful than beneficial.  What I needed and need is FULL CONFIDENCE in Him, His Promises, and His Word.  I need to keep near to my heart, “I can do all things through Christ” and that Jesus will “never leave nor forsake me.”  In that confidence, I can run through a troop and leap over a wall.  God you don’t have to tell me everything just go with me for if your presence does not go before me I do not want to go!

            God bless you as you go through this day in Him!