The Promise of the Lord | Part Four

Joshua 1

Why does God sandwich a command to obey and meditate on His law between all these commands to be strong and courageous?

Here's my paraphrase of what God is saying to Joshua:

I want you to get up and conquer this land. Be strong and courageous and keep your nose in the law. Doing so will ensure your success in taking the land and receiving the fulfilment of My promise.

Don't tremble! Focus on living according to the law.

Don't be dismayed! Focus on making sure your steps are in line with the path laid out for you in the law.

Don't tremble Joshua! Keep this book of the law on your lips. You're going to be tempted to talk about your fears and the dangers ahead. But those things are not your concern. Your concern is this Book.

Don't be dismayed Joshua! Meditate on this law day and night. You'll be tempted to meditate on your fears and the dangers ahead. When you lie down to sleep, anxious thoughts will fill your mind unless you meditate on this law. Discipline yourself to meditate on My words rather than your fears.

Don't tremble or be dismayed Joshua! Rather, be careful to do according to all that is written in this Book of the Law; because you can be certain of this, Joshua: I will come through on My end. You can trust Me.

How could Joshua obey God's command to be strong and courageous in the meantime, waiting to for God to fulfill His promise? Careful meditation and obedience to His words.

How can we be strong and courageous as we wait on the Lord? Careful meditation and obedience to His word, the Bible. It's the only way to avoid doubt and disaster.

You must align your heart and mind and hands and steps with God's word.
- Be careful to live according to it.
- Don't turn from it to the right or to the left.
- Let it dominate your conversation.
- Let it dominate your thoughts.

We are sponges, and the world is constant and pressing in its endeavor to squeeze the faith out of us. We must be equally constant and pressing in our efforts to remain drenched in God's truth from His word.

Joshua 1:10-18 describes how Joshua and the Israelites responded to all this. How will we respond?

I'll close these posts with Psalm 27:14:
Wait for the LORD;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the LORD.