Meet with God, Part 5

“Make sure you are very strong and brave! Carefully obey all the law my servant Moses charged you to keep. Do not swerve from it to the right or to the left, so that you may be successful in all you do. This law scroll must not leave your lips. You must memorize it day and night so you can carefully obey all that is written in it. Then you will prosper and be successful. I repeat, be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do.” –Joshua 1:7-9, NET

I’ve heard parts of this passage recited many times to ignite courage in cowardly men. But I think the foundation often gets underemphasized or overlooked. Joshua was commanded several times to be brave, for God would be with Him. They needed God’s presence, for Joshua was to advance on a powerful enemy protected by “fortified” cities (Num 13:28-29). What were former shepherds and slaves but tiny “grasshoppers” compared to such giants of “great stature” (Num 13:31-33). But we measure incorrectly. Chariot count and troop numbers are irrelevant factors for victory if “the LORD your God…is with you,” (Deu 20:1).

However, it was conditional. Joshua was to obey “ALL” that God commanded, not “swerving to the right or to the left” (v.7), but maintaining the straight path (Pro 3:6). THEN, Joshua would experience success. His prosperity was bound to God’s presence. God’s presence was bound to Joshua’s obedience, which was bound to him being in diligent study of God’s word (“faith comes by hearing…” see Rom 10:17).

Likewise, we also are up against a powerful enemy (Eph 6:12), and we would do well to take note and be humbled (1Pe 5:8; ex: Act 19:15-16). But the good and accurate report also incorporates our mighty God (Num 14:6-9). He must stoop to examine the skies (Psa 113:6). “There is power in the presence, power in the blood, power in the name of Jesus. There is more in the hem of His garment, than the camp of the enemy,” (Brandon Lake, “Tear off the Roof”). If this great God is for us, “who can stand against us?” (Rom 8:31).

But like Joshua, His presence is conditional. We cannot hope to remain on the righteous path unless we are before God’s word “day and night” (v.8). May we cling tightly to His merciful hand and maintain courage by keeping in step with His feet. Do not let God’s word “depart from your mouth,” but let the praise of His glory “flow freely from our lips” as you learn His statutes (Psa 119:171).

Meet with God in His word today, and take courage in God’s abiding presence as you advance on the Adversary.