relationships (Joshua 1:1-18) Blessed for Success

(Joshua 1:1-18)  Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, 2 “Moses My servant is dead; so now arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. 3 Every place on which the sole of your foot steps, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. 5 No one will be able to oppose you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not desert you nor abandon you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the Law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may achieve success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it 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 achieve success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11 “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are going to cross this Jordan, to go in to take possession of the land which the Lord your God is giving you, to possess it.’”

12 But to the Reubenites, to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, 13 “Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, ‘The Lord your God is giving you rest, and will give you this land.’ 14 Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but you shall cross ahead of your brothers in battle formation, all your valiant warriors, and shall help them, 15 until the Lord gives your brothers rest, as He is giving you, and they also possess the land which the Lord your God is giving them. Then you may return to your own land, and take possession of that which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.”

16 They answered Joshua, saying, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you; only may the Lord your God be with you as He was with Moses. 18 Anyone who rebels against your command and does not obey your words in all that you command him, shall be put to death; only be strong and courageous.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

It is really up to God to bless us in the way He deems appropriate.  The Bible does NOT teach a prosperity gospel!  God is not some fairy godmother who grants wishes, or some magical vending machine in the sky.  So for us, the definition of blessings, or "success" is not whether we have a higher education, or a lot of power, status, money or material things.  It is not about our physical appearances.  It is not about being married and having children.  It is not even about being struggle-free!!!  It is all about doing God's will and glorifying the Lord in everything that we do, no matter where we find ourselves.  THAT is true "success".

While here on earth, we have not been promised a life that is struggle or battle-free, so it stands to reason that we need God's strength and courage BECAUSE we will face struggles and battles!  These "battles" can be literal, but for the most part, these can be spiritual, emotional, psychological, physical, with our health or the health of a loved one, and there will most certainly be battles within relationships.  Not that we need to "go to war" against our friend or spouse or boss or teacher... It is all about seeking peace with God, with others and within ourselves - God's way!

Being strong and courageous is part of finding this success, so we need to know what that actually looks like.  It is the opposite of being terrified and dismayed.  Being strong and courageous is not being loud or arrogant.  Being strong and courageous is staying close to God and His word.  It is confidently putting into practice and living in God's will.  And it is allowing and trusting Him to fight our battles for us.  This is when we will experience God's perfect peace, rest, joy and contentment in any circumstance.  These are the greatest blessings that we could ever experience!  And THIS is true success!