Joshua 1:9 - Courageous Faith and God's Promise, Power and Presence.
Joshua 1:9 - Courageous Faith and God's Promise, Power and
Presence.
Joshua 1:9 (TNIV) 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."
Joshua 1:9 (NLT) 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 1:9 (CWR) What have I told you to do? I have told you to
be strong and full of courage. Don't be afraid. Don't become
discouraged or give up, because you don't have to do all this alone. The
Lord your God will be with you every step of the way."
CONTEXT: The Lord Commands Joshua (Joshua 1:1-18).
The book of Joshua records the dedication of the nation
(chaps. 1-5), the defeat of the enemy (chaps. 6-12), and the division of
the land (chaps. 13-24). Joshua leads Israel from victory to victory
as they follow the Lord and claim their promised inheritance.
The man Joshua is a picture of our Lord Jesus Christ who won
the victory over sin and Satan and who gives rest to those who trust
Him (Heb. 4; Matt. 11:28-30). Joshua knew that he was second in
command (Josh. 5:13-15), and his career illustrates the victory we have
through faith (1 John 5:1-5). Each of us has a spiritual inheritance to
claim, a "land" to conquer, and Joshua tells us how to do it. The word
inheritance is used fifty-eight times in Joshua. (See Eph. 1:11; Col. 1:12.)
[Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe re the book of
Joshua]
APPLICATION COMMENTARY With Emphasis On Verse 9.
Read through today's scripture, and you are guaranteed to get a
courage boost! What a lovely reminder that even when we are at our
weakest, God is with us. It is in the midst of our weakness that God's
power shines through (2 Corinthians 12:9). The next time you're
struggling to get through a bad day, remember that God is right there,
holding out His arms to you. He'll give you the comfort and strength you
need. [The 365 Daily Promise Bible By Barbour]
The Lord is with us. And, since the Lord is near, everything
is different. Everything!
You may be facing death, but you aren't facing death alone;
the Lord is with you. You may be facing unemployment, but you aren't
facing unemployment alone; the Lord is with you. You may be facing
marital struggles, but you aren't facing them alone; the Lord is with
you. You may be facing debt, but you aren't facing debt alone; the
Lord is with you.
Underline these words: You are not alone.
Your family may turn against you, but God won't. Your friends
may betray you, but God won't. You may feel alone in the wilderness,
but you are not. He is with you. [Grace For The Moment SB By Max
Lucado]
It's easy to focus on our problems, which we can see, and not on
God, whom we can't. As Joshua discovered, God is with us no matter
where we are or how big our problems seem. [Life Principles SB By
Charles Stanley]
The third call to courage addressed to Joshua was based on the
promise of God's presence. This did not minimize the task Joshua faced.
He would encounter giants and fortified cities, but God's presence
would make all the difference.... God also urged him not to be afraid or
discouraged. These charges with their accompanying assurances (God's promise,
God's power, and God's presence) were sufficient to last a lifetime.
Believers in all ages can be uplifted by the same three assurances. [Bible
Knowledge Commentary]
Joshua's meditation on the word of God was to focus on
obedience. From that obedience came the automatic presence of God to save....
Divine sovereignty and human responsibility complement one another.
Obedience (Josh. 1:7) enables a person to live according to God's divine
order and thus enjoy God's best (cf. Deut. 30:15-20). [New Bible
Companion]
God specializes in dry sandals. He loves to start with an
impossible situation in your life . . . and then do the impossible.
When the nation of Israel approached the Jordan, God demanded
a step of obedience before they could cross. The priests, like
drum majors leading a three-million-member marching band, had to hike
to the brink of the flood-swollen Jordan and take that first step
into the water. Then - and only then - would God perform a miracle,
roll back the waters, dry up the puddles, and send the people across
kicking up dust at every steps! Dry sandals followed trusting obedience.
Where in your life is God waiting for you to take that first
step of faith? In the margin at the left of the page, write down the
obstacle you are facing (your Jordan) and the step of obedience God is
asking you to take (your dry-sandals experience). Trust Him for the
unexpected, and let Him surprise and delight you by doing the unexplainable!
[Your Daily Walk SB]
The life of faith has been likened to a tightrope act, in
which, the believer's dependence upon God must constantly be balanced
with human action. It was like that for Israel. On the one hand
Canaan was "the Promised Land" (1 ,2). God had promised, "I will not
abandon you or fail to help you" (1:5), and "the Lord your God is with
you wherever you go" (1 :9) - wonderful truths to claim!
But that didn't mean the Israelites were free to sit back and
do nothing! There was a hike to begin, and a most important step of
faith to take into the Jordan River - a step, only the people could
initiate.
Where is God waiting for you to do his will through a step of
obedience? God has battles for you to fight and win in his strength, but
you must do your part.
This month, begin a notebook of "Ways God Is Preparing Me
Today for Tomorrow's Battles." At the end of the month; look back over
what you have written down to see how God's faithfulness and your
obedience worked together for good in your life. [Daily Walk Bible]
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:
Grace Notes:
http://www.e-gracenotes.org/index.php
A Better Way to Live:
http://www.itiswritten.com/betterway/
Excellent Spiritual Resource Site:
http://www.christianlifemediacenter.com/
More Spiritual Resources:
http://www.aBible.com
