Our story begins after the death of Moses when the LORD commissions Joshua to be the leader of the Israelite people. The commission comes with remembrance, instruction, and promise.
Joshua 1:5b-9 (NIV) 5b“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7Be 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. 8Keep 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. 9Have 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.”
Once again we notice the attributes of the LORD God Almighty. He is omnipresent; never leaving nor forsaking his faithful ones. He is also omnipotent; for he provides all the power and might Joshua will need to fulfill the mission God is giving to him. Yet we also see the warning; be obedient; know God’s word and follow it—do not deviate from it—keep it on your lips and meditate on it day and night. What was Joshua’s response?
Joshua 1:10-11a (NIV) 10so Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11“Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready...’”
This is a story from the Old Testament. We may wonder; “that was then; this is now” what makes this story relevant to us today? From the story of Joshua we learn that God will prepare us for whatever task he assigns us. God has provided his written Word which has been preserved through the ages. The two greatest tasks he has given us is to love the Lord our God with our whole being, and to love others, (c.f., Matthew 22:37-40). Those two tasks are the foundation upon which our Heavenly Father may ask us to use other gifts, talents, and abilities for His service. Joshua did not hesitate to fulfill the task God set before him. His response was immediate...tell the people to get ready. So the question for us becomes, are we ready to do whatever the Lord asks of us? Are we willing to use the talents, gifts, and abilities the Lord has provided to us in order to serve Him?
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the story of Joshua which teaches us how you prepare us in many ways to work for you. We confess whatever hinders us or causes hesitation. You provide all the strength and courage we need to fulfill whatever tasks you set before us. Grant us the willing spirit to obey.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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