Strong In The Lord

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, 2 “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. 3 “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. 4 “From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. 5 “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. 6 “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 “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. 8 “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. 9 “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 1:1-9

After the death of Moses, Joshua is called to lead Israel into the land of promise. He has observed Moses for many years. Now, Joshua will take the mantle of Moses and lead the people through the conquest.

The words of this chapter still speak and instruct us today. We may not be leading an army on a military campaign. However, Christians today are called to fight (among other battles) the battle for holiness, Godliness, and self-control. May we take the word of God to heart today just as Joshua did in his day.

1) Trust in God’s promises. Joshua was told to trust in God because God is faithful. The Lord had been faithful to Moses and He would be faithful to Joshua. And God will be faithful to us.

Joshua declared God’s faithfulness at the end of His life as well. Not one of God’s promises had failed. (Joshua 21:45) Trust in God knowing He is able to keep His promises!

2) Be strong in the Lord. God’s Word commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous three separate times in these verses. The point cannot be missed. We are to be strong and courageous knowing that we trust in the all-powerful, all-seeing, unchanging, one true God!

3) Cling to God’s Word. Joshua is taught to hold to God’s Word. He is to meditate on it at all times while never straying from God’s Word. Our efforts to fight our battles must be grounded in the Bible as well. Let us seek to observe and obey all that it teaches us day by day.  

Tony French