Joshua has just lost Moses and is now being commissioned to lead the people to the promised land on his own. Joshua is instructed to follow all the laws that Moses commanded and to meditate day and night on the Book of the Law so as to make sure to do what is instructed in order to have a prosperous journey.
When reading this passage, we can hear the seriousness of the journey which is about to take place but God is showing up for Joshua making sure to encourage him, to remind him that He will be walking with them the whole way.
The Lord even charges Joshua 3 times in this passage to be strong and courageous.
This leaves us with the reminder that whatever task God has placed in our lives, no matter how intense or daunting it may look that “God is with you wherever you go”
You can face the missions God has set before you with strength and courage because you are never alone in them.
[Joshua 1.1-9]
1.1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.
4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success[a] wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on its day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ What land are they about to inherit
+ Why should the book of the law not depart from Joshua’s mouth (vs 8) but only be meditated over?
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ How can this passage be applied to your life?
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?