Church . . . Where Are You?

2nd in the Series

Joshua

God has given the land to the Israelites. BUT they had to engage in the battle to gain what He had given them! They had to believe God's promise that the land belonged to them AND TAKE IT!

God told Joshua that just as He had given the land to Moses, "everywhere you go, as far as the Negev Dessert to the Lebanon Mountains to the Euphrates River, to the Mediterranean Sea and all the land of the Hittites" that the land belonged to Joshua. (Joshua 1:1-4)

"No one will be able to stand their ground against you as long as you live. For I am with you. I will not fail you or abandon you." Joshua 1:5 God's promise.

It would take faith for Joshua to believe God's Words. Over the next few verses, God would command Joshua to "be strong and courageous." The first time came with an expectation and a promise. "because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them."

God was calling Joshua to be a leader. One who would fulfill God's promises to His people.

And then God, as if to reinforce the message, would say "Be strong" and adding these words, "be VERY courageous." God gave Joshua further instruction; "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."

This time God told Joshua to stay focused. Don't sway to the right or the left.

If God were speaking to the Church today. could it sound like this?

"Don't conform. Don't relinquish your duty. Don't be swayed. Remember Me. Remember how far you have come. Remember where I have called you to go? Be strong and VERY courageous for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go?"

As we continue to read in Joshua 1, we come across another verse where God seems to be hammering this point to Joshua. "Have 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."

Again God is reminding Joshua that He will be with Him. Each step of the way. Each moment of the day. God adds to this with "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

God knew that fear and discouragement would be part of the journey for Joshua. Much like it has become part of our journey. Fear of offending someone. Fear of being called names. Fear of being misunderstood.

And discouragement. The process of standing for God's principles would be hard. There would be battles to fight in every day life, in the court rooms, on the school boards, for our cities. Joshua would have to show up and fight. He couldn't let discouragement run away and steal his focus. He couldn't be fearful of the battle ahead.

I find it interesting that this first chapter of Joshua would end with these same words, as if God was reinforcing this command. Joshua 1:18 "Only be strong and courageous!"

His command ends with an exclamation point.

Four times in this short chapter the Lord commands Joshua to BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS!

Church, where are you today? What has God commissioned you to do for Him? Is there land to take? Is there a mountain to stand upon? What do you need strength and courage to accomplish? Has fear and discouragement crept in to steal away your very purpose?

Where is your focus?

My friend, it is time to "be strong and very courageous! For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Dear Jesus, we ask for your forgiveness for allowing fear and discouragement to rob us of the courage and strength that we need to stand upon your principles. May you speak to our hearts today and call us to step out in Your ways, trusting You with the future. Awaken your children, Lord, that we would defend and uphold your ways. And teach us to love in the process. Let us be a true reflection of You. We ask these things in your name, Jesus. Amen.