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. Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. 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. 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. Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 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. 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. 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

Where I worship, 217church,  we are going through the book of Joshua.  I noticed, as we read through the first book, that God doesn’t just ask Joshua to be strong and courageous.  God doesn’t just ask Joshua to be strong and courageous.  God COMMANDS him.  In fact, He doesn’t just command him once.  God commands Joshua three times.  It is so important for Joshua to know to be strong and courageous that God commands him three times.

Joshua was commanded to carry out God’s will.  He desired to do so, but what God’s will was, was something that many were afraid to do. Joshua was to lead all of Israel into the promise land.  They were going into an unknown territory. But God was with them.  God was with Joshua.  God promised to be with him wherever he may go.

When God makes a promise He keeps it.  God promises to be with those who know Him.  God promises to be with those who do His will.  God wants to be with us.  He wants us to do His will.

Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

God didn’t just command Joshua to be strong and courageous.  He also gave him some other things to do.  He told him to obey the laws He gave to Moses.  He told Joshua to meditate on it day and night.  He is not to let it depart from His mouth.  This is how we are to know God’s will.  We need to be in His Word.  The more we are in His Word, the more we know His will, the more we can be strong and courageous.

Sometimes it is hard to hear His commands.  Sometimes it is easy to think He is not talking to us.  Maybe He is talking to you right now. Maybe you have never listened to Him or you just ignore him.  Maybe you have been afraid to be in His Word.

Ask God right now to speak to you.  Ask Him to open your eyes, ears, mind, and heart to Him.  Ask Him to allow the Holy Spirit to work in you.  Ask Jesus to come into your life so you may know Him.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

 

I pray you will hear God speak to you and you are called according to His purpose.