The Lord God called Joshua to lead His people into the Promised Land after Moses died. Joshua was a man God had “waiting in the wings”. Joshua was in training with Moses throughout the wilderness experience for 40 years. Do you feel like you have been “in training” for a very long time? God has something for you, just as He had for Joshua.
When God called Joshua, He encouraged him along with an admonition to follow His words.
Joshua 1:6-8 “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 have 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 have success.”
Not only was Joshua to follow God’s words – he was to know them thoroughly and live by them. We, too, are to know God’s words thoroughly and live by them.
Where do you turn for advice for everyday living? Do you turn to God’s word in search of His thoughts and will for you?
Immanuel (God with us) was promised to Joshua with these words:
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’’
When Jesus was born, many hundreds of years later, He was to be called Immanuel.
Matthew 1:23 “‘…and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which translated means, ‘God with us.’”
Follower of Christ ~ He is with you!
He is Immanuel
Do not fear the future – Immanuel is with us!
~ Think about this! ~
For this reason: Do not be afraid to face the challenges of life –
Follower of Christ ~ Immanuel is with you!