Scripture:
Joshua 1:7-9 NKJV
[7] Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. [8] This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe 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 of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Observation:
Joshua was not only one of the spies who brought back a good report after scouting out Jericho he was the man that GOD had chosen to succeed Moses after his death. Here in Joshua chapter 1, we see marching orders being given as they prepare to move forward under new leadership. The courage that was displayed after returning from Jericho by not only Joshua but Caleb as well had caught the eyes of GOD and the leadership position was given to him as the result. This little pep talk, however, was to remind not only Joshua but everyone that the LORD’s ways had to stay at the front of their focus, and it would take courage to make that happen. The first statement we look at says, “Be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left. That you may prosper in all your ways.” It was easy to see that distractions would steal the focus, and it would take courage to stay on the right path. It was a point that had to be made. I want us to see the promise attached to this statement. ” That you may prosper in all your ways.” This is something that needs to be known and spoken directly to not only Joshua but the people as well. They were getting ready to go into a land where everyone around them would be doing things that were not glorifying to YAHWAH, and they would need to stay focused on what was right and true. The courage needed to do that would not be easy. The second thing that we look at is what their focus and attention should be on. The book of the law. They needed to be mindful of it, not only thinking about it but speaking it out. Let’s look at verse 8. “This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night. That you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.” Again, I want us to notice that there is a promise attached to that statement. Just like the first verse we looked at this morning, this verse says much the same thing. If they follow what the book says, their ways will prosper and have success. But again, that’s going to take courage. Looking at verse 9 will prove that. In fact, the first part of the book of Joshua is all about building up GOD’S people to have the courage to follow HIM and not get distracted. Joshua chapter 1 verse 9 is one of the verses that a lot of people hold on to. It helps us to hold on and remember that GOD is always with us wherever we go. We need only be courageous and press on.
Application:
It’s easy to get distracted. We see everyone around us doing things that look like they would be fun, or they may be things we used to do and think we’re fun. Staying focused on a way of life we are not used to is not easy. It has to be at the forefront of our minds. When everyone else is saying you should go with us. You have to know what is right and what is wrong so you know whether or not you should, according to what the book says. GOD gave us the bible to guide our steps to the pathway of heaven. But it’s going to take courage… we are going to have to be strong. We can not turn to the right or to the left. Staying focused on GOD’S way and truth and speaking it out regularly is going to be vital to how well we follow it. My wife will ask me from time to time… what would you do in this situation… my response always starts with…the bible says… such and such… or so and so. Doing our best to have the bible written on our hearts means spending time reading it and thinking about it Finding out what GOD says about what we are facing and acting according to what HIS word says about it. This is going to take courage because it is more than likely going to be the opposite of what everyone else is doing. Long obedience in the same direction. Staying focused on what GOD says brings blessings and prosperity. I’m going to be honest. That’s not why I started living this way… some of us are saved by the light, and some of us are saved by the heat. I could see that the path I was on was leading to weeping and gnashing of teeth. It is a very hot place, and the worm never dies. But now that I see the blessings of GOD in my life, I want to stay focused on doing things HIS way. HE has given me a life that I never thought possible, and I just want to be obedient to what HE says. Not for the blessings but because HE saved me from my own personal hell that I created by my choices to do the wrong things. I have so many blessings today that it’s unbelievable at times. A beautiful wife, a roof over my head, a daughter who loves me, a truck to drive, and a company full of men who want to chase after and focus on GOD. What more could a man ask for? All this started happening when I decided to follow Jesus and do things HIS way no matter what.
Prayer:
Father, help us to stay focused on you. We do not want to get distracted by what the world does. We want to always be mindful of you and your ways. Write your word on our hearts. So that we can think about it as we go through our day. We want to be focused on what is right and true and good. Give us courage and boldness to stay the course even when everyone else is heading the wrong way. Keep us fixed on you. Distractions will come, and distractions will go, but your word and your ways will never change. We want your favor in our lives. We want to know that we are on the right path. We want to meditate on your word day and night. Singing songs and hymns and praising you in all we do. Put blinders on us so that the shiny things of the world will not keep us from following you with all of our hearts. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.