God’s Command (I)

God’s Command (I)

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. 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. Joshua 1:6-7 [KJV]

Bible Reading: Joshua 1

After the death of Moses, the baton of leadership was passed on to Joshua. Joshua worked closely with Moses so he would have seen what it means to lead the children of Israel. For instance, Joshua would have witnessed first-hand the rebellion, grumbling, and complaints of the Israelites. Perhaps, he would have seen how they abused Moses and conspired against him when he went to Mount Sinai to get the Ten Commandments. The people’s unbelief made them conclude that Moses was dead and forced Aaron to make a golden image for them. Joshua also witnessed the reports of the remaining ten spies when they went to the land of Canaan. It was indeed a generation of unbelievers that provoked God many times but were saved by Moses’ intercession. Joshua would have overheard Moses’ conversation with God in Exodus 33-34 when he asked for God’s presence to be with them on the journey. In short, Joshua would have experienced everything at this point and he was given the divine responsibility to lead the children of Israel into the promised land. With all these evidences, Joshua was really afraid to lead a stiff-necked people. Truthfully speaking, I would be afraid too.

Thank God for His presence and His word that guides and comforts. Our Bible reading today came at the point of Joshua’s despair and fear. God spoke because God is a loving Father who cares deeply and sincerely about His children. He sees and knows every of our thought. God’s instruction to Joshua was simple: “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. 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”. Joshua 1:6-7 (KJV).

Joshua must have been really afraid because God repeated Himself in the verses above. Like Joshua, you may have encountered nothing but negative experiences in your life and you are finding it hard to believe God’s word for your life. Dear friends, here’s God’s word for you: “be strong and be courageous!”

Daily Confession: I have the Spirit of God in me and fear is not permitted in Jesus’ name.

Intercessory prayer: Lord have mercy upon the world and heal our land.

Hymn: Trust and obey

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus

But to trust and obey.