~God's Charge to Joshua~

Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' servant, saying,"Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. [JOSHUA 1:1-2] [NAS]

There are some great stories and lessons in life to be learned in the Old Testament. Many Christians do not read the Old Testament as much as they do the New Testament, but the Old Testament has many men and women of God in its writings.

As your may know, Joshua was what we would probably call today, the right-hand man to Moses. And when Moses died, Joshua was charged with leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. (See Deuteronomy Chapter 31)

Joshua, Chapter 1, verse six, God tells Joshua to “be strong and courageous.” Then in verse seven, God tells Joshua to “be strong and very courageous” again, but in this verse He tells Joshua to be strong and “Very” courageous. God goes on in verse seven and eight. Let me just quote it from the Bible.

"Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. [JOSHUA 1:7] [NAS]

"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. [JOSHUA 1:8] [NAS]

God instructed Joshua to “be strong and courageous,” and God goes on and tells him to “be careful to do according to all the law,” and “do not turn from it to the right or to the left.”

Hopefully the lesson for today; and the questions we should ask ourselves:

• Are we strong and courageous when God calls?
• Are we turning to right or left from the “Word of God”?
• Are we departing from the “Book of the Law”?
• Are we meditating on “The Word” day and night?

As we close for today with verse nine, let me ask the question again. When we have a call from God, are we being “strong and courageous?” If the call or mission is from God, then God is with you at all times. You will accomplish your call or mission.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." [JOSHUA 1:9] [NAS]

Brother Dewey E. Fox