Joshua Succeeds Moses

Joshua 1


Observation:

Some background:
Forty years have passed since yesterday’s passage. The people of Israel had been given the opportunity to possess the land that God had promised them, but were too afraid to do so. As a result of their disbelief, they spent forty years living as nomads in the wilderness. Forty years of manna to eat. Forty years in the same clothes. Forty years in the same sandals. (Miraculously, their garments did not wear out.) They lived in the desert until the disbelieving generation passed away (except for Joshua and Caleb, who had both believed God).

This passage begins just after Moses’s death. Moses’s assistant Joshua was appointed by God to lead the people into the promised land, and God tells Joshua what he needs to do to lead the people:

1. Be strong and courageous (vv. 6, 7, 9)
2. Be obedient (v. 7a)
3. Stay focused on His calling - the path God ordained for him to walk (v. 7b)
4. Meditate on God’s Word (v. 8)
5. Believe God - do not be frightened or dismayed (v. 9)

As a result of God’s leading and direction, Joshua prepares the people to possess the promised land - by calling them to battle. Even though the land was a gift from Him to the people of Israel, God expected them to step forward and take it.


Application:

I am also to follow the instructions of the Lord. I am to trust Him, be obedient, stay focused on the calling He has given me, meditate on His Word, and I am not to fear.


Prayer:

Father, You are trustworthy and believable. Thank You for showing Your faithfulness to me time and time again. Forgive me for the times I have been faithless. May my life reflect complete dependence on and trust in You!


The saying is trustworthy, for;

If we have died with Him,
we will also live with Him;

if we endure,
we will also reign with Him;

if we deny Him,
He also will deny us;

if we are faithless,
He remains faithful -
for He cannot deny Himself.

2 Timothy 2:11-13