Joshua Chapter 1

 

JOSHUA

 

CHAPTER 1

 

1.HOW GOD COMMANDS JOSHUA TO CONQUER CANAAN:

 1.After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua, son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, ² “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. ³ I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— ⁴ from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea^[a] in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ ⁵ No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.

6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. ⁷ Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. ⁸ Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. ⁹ This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

 

Joshua was the chosen leader by God. Why was he chosen among many people of Israel?  something mighty was planned for him therefore God was preparing him since he was with Moses. God saw various qualities in him and he was the chosen leader who might lead the people of Israel into the land that Lord promised to give. Lord spoke directly to him that no one will be able to stand against him so his courage would be strong. Lord reminded him that wherever he might be or whatever situation he may face Lord will be with him he will have his divine protection in his leadership role. God promises Joshua the same level of divine presence and guidance that Moses received during his leadership. He will not leave him nor forsake him regardless of all the challenges he may face. Joshua had a mission to accomplish. The mission was to help the people to conquer the promised land.

 

LESSONS:

Similarly, we are the chosen one by the God. We too have a mission to accomplish but we sometimes doubt ourselves that we might not be able to do the things that God has chosen us to do. But before our formation in the womb of mother God has already planned our future (Jeremiah 1:5), We are formed with a purpose. There is a reason for our existence. God has made you in a way to fulfil your purpose/plans. God planned your life before your birth so he has given you all the qualities, spiritual gifts, abilities, personality and experiences from which you’ll get to know what your supposed to do with your life. Your purpose is hidden within your talents, abilities and experience. Take time to look within yourself to discover your purpose.

From the verse 5 we get to know that Lord promised Joshua that he would always be with him and would give him victory. Don’t you think that Joshua might be afraid of?  How shall he feed the people? How he can defeat the giants of Canaan?, what if they fail?. He would also be having many questions and doubts in his mind but when God spoke to Joshua, he had faith and courage, as the verse 6-7 courage was necessary to lead the people. He had faith in the Lord and his commands. Courage and Faith were the two important qualities that Joshua needed to accomplish his mission.

Similarly, we should have faith in our Lord to accomplish our purpose our mission,

the mission would be:

•       to spread the gospel of God.
•       to heal the people
•       To be an anointed worshiper through your singing the people might be healed and blessed, all the devil spirit might leave the people. It takes us closer to God’s presence.
•       To be a strong prayer warrior.

Rather than doubting ourselves put your trust and faith in God because he has done many mighty impossible things. He parted the red sea through Moses. He has shown many miraculous things in exodus “the ten plagues” would you still doubt yourselves when the mighty God who does all the impossible things possible is with you on your side, have faith and everything will work out by the grace of Lord. Therefore, have courage because we need courage to speak against the sin, to serve God publicly, to obey God in the middle of trials.

Whenever we might work for the kingdom of God, we might face challenges and many obstacles might come along our way but if you have courage and faith in God, you might pass this too.

 

How will you have courage and how will you grow your courage?

The only source you have, to get the courage and grow it is through the word of God when you meditate on God’s word-As God told in verse 8-9 meditate on his words day and night .Reading the word of God will remind you of all the work God had done to his people, it will remind you God’s faithfulness to keep his promises, all the miracles God had done in the past , this will encourage you to have faith and courage in God as he can do impossible things for you as well.

 

Whenever doubts, negativity, sadness, fear comes in your mind remember it’s the Satan’s plan to stop you from growing in the kingdom of God. Whenever you feel this way open your ears to listen to the voice of the Lord and the voice of the Lord would be heard through the greatest weapon against Satan that is Bible. Meditate on it the truth of God’s word will keep the Satan away. Bible is the source of our strength the spiritual food required to get the energy and grow spiritually. It will guide you in your daily life and will bring you closer to God and you will get success in whatever you do, you will get the blessings that God has kept for each one of us.