Joshua chapter 1.
Wow! We are starting our 6th Book of the Bible. I am so full of joy that we are all doing this and am inspired by your comments. Thank you so much!! I feel so blessed. Let us keep pursuing God’s Word and let Him Transform our minds and hearts and lives. I Love You All!
Though Joshua was the best man to pick as Moses's new replacement, and though he was a solid man of God, he was human. It would be a little overwhelming of a thought to take over all of Israel as a leader. But God gave Joshua great assurance and encouragement. God gave strong words to show Joshua that he was with him and not to worry. God said:
- You will take the land you step onto. God didn't say I hope you take all this land.
- I will be with you. I will never leave you nor forsake you.
- Plus God tells Joshua three times to be strong and courageous. Basically God was saying you got this. You can do this. I'm going to be with you. But then God reinforces that thought when He inspired the three tribes to respond by telling Joshua “Be strong and courageous.” It's an affirmation from God to Joshua from somebody else, that you've got this. You can do this. God is with you. Be strong and courageous.
For me, it's encouraging when you feel you hear God's voice, but it's very encouraging when someone comes up and says exactly what God Said without them knowing it.
For example: when the executive director position was open, out of nowhere people would say, you should be the executive director. Or you would be great as the executive director position. It was like God was speaking through them. Then after I accepted the position I had several people say to me that I will be a great executive director, or I was thinking that you should be the one in that position. I heard it several times and felt it was God giving me affirmation that I was where I'm supposed to be. We need those affirmations because they can be encouraging on the days that you start questioning whether or not you should be where you're at. You can always lean back on those days when God spoke to you.
After all is said and done let us not forget what the major key for success is: Staying focused on God and His word.
God’s timing is perfect! I’m beginning a new job this week and Joshua Chapter 1 just seemed to fit exactly for my situation with where I’m going right now just as I thought about God’s people who were on quite an adventure and about to cross the Jordan River into the Promise Land.
Joshua 1:9 stood out to me today. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
As we begin a new book of the Bible, I have 5 songs to share from ApologetiX that fit with the book of Joshua. I hope that you enjoy these parodies!
Lawful Woman (In a Bad Place)
https://youtu.be/bPRYJ702et0
One More Wall
https://youtu.be/_M_tONY0lXg
Kick In the Wall
https://youtu.be/l07kWy1xugQ
Kosmik
https://youtu.be/ega0o16PZzY
Holy Land
https://youtu.be/d2FJO3YnWtc
God’s instruction on success to Joshua was:
• Be strong and courageous
• Obey God’s law
• Constantly mediate on God’s law (His Word)
In the Hebrew language, two words for “meditate” mean “mutter” and “chew on the cud”. In other words, we are to speak the Scripture out loud, over and over, and ponder the meaning out loud. I don’t know about you but sometimes when I’m reading the Scripture silently, my mind tends to wander. I start out with good intentions thinking about the verse and next thing you know I’m thinking about what’s for lunch. I beat myself up over this. Why am I not giving God’s Word my full attention? But this is human nature … how He made us. If I’m reading a verse out loud, my mind stays focused. There’s great truth to the importance of reading your Bible and talking to the Lord out loud. As you take it in, speak it out. God’s instructions to Joshua apply to us as well. Try it and see what happens.
(From bible explained)
Verses 10-11: As soon as Joshua received his orders from the Lord, he obeyed. Delay often causes reluctance, and reluctance often breeds disobedience. When God delivers an assignment, His man or woman has only one option, and that is to discharge it with urgency (Psalm 119:60).
How many times have I said …”yes God I know you commanded me to do this ….but I’m not ready, or even worse I don’t want to
If you weren’t ready….you wouldn’t be called.
Thanks for all the video sharing Jim! I will definitely enjoy them. Thanks to everyone for the encouraging and insightful comments!
Let us all be strong and courageous for the Lord this week!