On the edge of the Promised Land Moses is laid to rest. His successor, the great warrior Joshua will lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Before he embarks on this journey, the Lord blesses Joshua with some amazing proclamations:
- “I will give you every place where you set your foot” (Joshua 1:3).
- “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life” (1:5).
- “Be strong and courageous because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them” (1:6).
God will perform mighty miracles through His servant Joshua…but there’s a catch:
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (7-8).
‘Then’ is a very important word here. Obey my commands and then you will be prosperous and successful.
These words from the Lord lead up to the famous verse: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
Throughout the entire Bible there is a balance between God‘s holiness and his graciousness.
He longs to bless us and fulfill His promises. However, He desires obedience from His followers. Based on our choices, God will either deliver blessing or judgment. Those who choose the latter are promised His power, even in their weakness. Joshua faces intense challenges and must overcome many obstacles, but God is by his side every moment. This promise is true for us today too.
The entire story of Joshua points towards the eternal Promised Land available to us through Jesus’ death on the cross.
Christ fulfilled the Old Testament law by becoming the ultimate sacrifice for our sins: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17).
Because of His great sacrifice how much more should we obey His commands? Strength, courage and joy come from drawing near to Christ and living in obedience to His will. When we do this we will find a new peace, confidence and joy that surpasses anything available to us in our sin nature. When we follow Jesus’ commands, we have the assurance He will be with us forever:
- “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
- “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
- “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Let me sum it all up with my favorite verse which speaks to everything I just wrote: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). What does Jesus mean when He says He has overcome the world? He means that He has defeated death for us on the cross. Furthermore, He promises to be with us forever.
Joshua’s story is a great example of victory over trials by drawing our strength from the Lord. God is all powerful but He requires us to be courageous and step out in faith. When we do, He will be right by our side. And “if God is for us who can be against us” (Romans 8:31).
What is God calling you to do that requires strength and courage in the midst of fear?
Take the first step knowing He will be with you.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
For more anxiety busting scriptures check out my vlog on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfic8O-abtgouGrK0awamag
