It had to seem overwhelming. Moses, the man who had led Israel from slavery to freedom was gone! This same Moses had been the instrument God used to win a showdown with Pharaoh and all of the Egyptian “gods”. Remember, Moses was so close to God that his face shone from having been in God’s presence as he received the Law. Now, the mantle of leadership had fallen to Joshua. I would not want to be in Joshua’s sandals. Talk about a tough act to follow!
In verses 7-8 of the first chapter of Joshua, we find that Joshua did not have to act alone. He had the same help as Moses. It says, “Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7-9 HCSB)
Look at the keys to success God gave Joshua. He promised to be with him wherever he went. In order to keep his steps on the right path, God advised Joshua to courageously observe His whole instruction. In other words, Joshua had to be bold in obeying God’s Law. He would be able to fulfill that by not deviating from the instructions of the Lord. Furthermore, Joshua was to keep the word in his daily life by reciting it day and night. In doing these things, he would fulfill the first instruction of carefully observing.God’s instructions handed down through Moses.
We need to courageously follow God today. What does courage have to do with it? It takes courage to live by God’s instructions when others are not. The world’s culture does not seem to enjoy absolutes. Yet God’s word is filled with several clear instructions. We must be bold like Joshua to stand for God even if nobody stands with us. Remember, even if nobody else is with us, God is! His promise is still in effect today. He is with us wherever we go, so why shouldn’t we have courage?
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Ramblings by James 