Daily Devotion (August 19, 2024)
Joshua 1:7–9 (NKJV)
7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
God calls. God prepares. God directs.
As Joshua prepared to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, he faced an overwhelming task. Following in the footsteps of Moses, he needed reassurance and guidance from God.
God called me to pastoral ministry. It meant I had to stand in front of people and preach and teach. It meant meeting people one on one. I wish I could tell you of the difficulty I had growing up having to stand in front of people and talk. I was a shy, introverted kid who trembled in fear of speaking. The fear raises its ugly head even today. But…
God has a plan and purpose for our lives. God calls us to do what only He can do through us. He calls us to do the impossible. In Egypt God called Joshua to lead the Israelites into the promised land. It took forty years of serving God under the direction of Moses now it was time to step up and move forward in leading God’s people into the land given them by God. Moses had been the leader, now Joshua was the man.
What were God’s instructions to Joshua? Be Strong and VERY Courageous. Observe the law which Moses commanded you. Keep your focus on God.
TRUST God! God was with Joshua wherever he went. KNOWthe Word of God. LIVE the Word of God. Allow the Word of God to be your teacher and your guide. The same word of God that led Moses was now leading Joshua. That same Word is leading us today. We cannot allow the world to stand in our way. We must stand and stand firm in the Word of God. Each of us is called by God with a purpose. What is your calling?