Prayer: Father, as we launch into a new study, help us to see new insights into Your truth. May we glean from Joshua’s successes and defeat. Amen.
Reading: Joshua 1 key: vs. 5
5 No one will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you or forsake you.
Attention: It is hard to imagine the excitement and anticipation that Joshua and the Hebrew nation had about receiving the gift Adonai had promised Abraham centuries ago. The land they are to receive is a land of promise, of plenty, of provision, and protection. Adonai has a conversation with Joshua commissioning him with three commands: Chazak! Be Courageous!: You are to meditate day and night on the Torah; You are to possess the land.
Notice, in vs. 6b, “You will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be very strong, and resolute to observe diligently the Torah which Moses, My servant commanded you.” The courage was to come from complete confidence in Adonai to deliver the promised gift of a land to them. Adonai would go before them, demoralizing the current inhabitants of the land with stories of the mighty acts of God in extracting the Hebrew nation from Egypt and defeating Pharoah and his armies. Although the current residents of their promised land were stronger and more fortified, Adonai would go before them and secure the victory. They still had to do their part. They had to go and by faith, believe Adonai would be with them and give them the victory. They were told to “possess” the land. They were to seize it and take control of the land. Strict instructions were given to Moses in Deuteronomy 20: 16-18 not to allow anything that “breathes to live.” Why? So that the current residents “will not teach you to do all the abominations as they have done for their gods, and so you would sin against Adonai your God.”
This was the original culture war. Which culture would prevail? The culture of the theocratic Hebrew nation or the polytheistic culture of other nations? The Hebrew nation was to display to the nations, the omnipotence of their God, Adonai and they were to be wholly His. To allow cultic nations to dwell within their inherited land, was an abomination to God.
All three commands are important to fulfill. All three were commanded to be fulfilled. However, if they ignore remembering the Torah (“you are to meditate on it day and night”), their confidence and courage will erode and failing to possess the land will lead to moral compromise.
Being in the Word of God daily and meditating on it day and night, is a critical lifestyle for us today.
Action: I choose to live a lifestyle of daily time in the Word of God and meditating on it day and night.
Yield: I choose to have my mind filled with scripture.
Engage: I choose to engage in a lifestyle of obedience in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Relationship: I choose an intimate, all day, every day, relationship with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, I pray for courage in those moments when courage is needed. I pray that you will raise up Joshua’s in today’s American culture. Keep me in the scriptures so that I know Your mind and will. Help me to possess that which You have charged me to possess. Amen.
Memory Verse: Joshua 1:9
Music Video: The Afters—I Will Fear No More https://youtu.be/wMmmbJlWhtk
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”