Moses ordained Joshua to lead Israel into the Promised Land in Deut. 31:7. Here God addresses Joshua directly as their new leader:
1. The land is yours. Go and claim that which belongs to you.
Josh. 1:2-9 “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.”
2. Have courage! I am on YOUR side.
“There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.”
3. Have courage! Remain on MY side.
“Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:”
4. If you choose My Way, Your way will be blessed!
“for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
5. I will be with you wherever you go!
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
LESSON - The phrase “Be strong and of a good courage” is repeat in various forms throughout this chapter. It shows us that both faith AND fear are a choice. If we choose to live life our way, we have every reason to fear. But if we choose to live life in accordance with God‘s way and His word, we also should be strong and of good courage. These promises passed down through the generations of God’s people are available to us as well. Heb. 13:5-6 “…be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” GOD IS ON YOUR SIDE!
~Mike
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