Joshua 1:9

Joshua 1:9

Dive Deeper

Godfidence- Swipe
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“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.”

Joshua 1:9

Godfidence- Behind the Scenes
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After Moses died, Joshua was chosen by God to lead the Israelites into the promised land, but he was overwhelmed of the daunting task of leading over six hundred thousand people into the promised land. I’ve thought about what the logistics of this would have been like. Can you imagine that many people setting up and tearing down camp, food, merchandise, medical attention, transportation, etc? Many of these Israelites had already turned their hearts away from God, so God chose Joshua because of his heart. Joshua was commanded to meditate day and night in scripture in the preceding verse, because no man alone could lead them without the guidance God’s intricate provision and direction.

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God’s command to be strong and courageous meant that Joshua needed to trust God as the source of his strength. Joshua recognized that he didn’t have all the answers which made him the perfect vessel to be used. He wasn’t confident in his own strength to lead well, so he was constantly running to God with every question, concern, and thought. He knew he didn’t have the answers, because over half a million people wandering through a desert is not a very logical plan, but God is bigger than logistics and numbers, and only He can make a way.

Godfidence- Make it Real
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Reading about Joshua in this regard helps me see him as a person just like you and me. He didn't have a resume that qualified him to lead the Israelites. He was just a spy! What he did have was a heart after God, and that was qualifying enough to God. Reading through these passages gives me courage. All we have to do is empty ourselves of ‘us’ and open a space for God to dwell so that we might be used for His Kingdom.

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In the first nine verses of Joshua, God commands him three times to be strong and courageous, reminding him that God was with him wherever he went. I love the repetitiveness in this, because it’s easy to forget truths when we’re being fed lies. God knows that we are forgetful. We forget about His goodness. We forget to trust Him sometimes. We forget that He is with us wherever we go. Sometimes it feels dark and lonely, but He’s there. Sometimes we feel afraid, but He gives us courage. Sometimes we are dismayed, but He sticks by our side. If Joshua held onto courage while leading God’s people into the promised land, I know I can hold onto courage in my everyday life, too!

Godfidence- End in Prayer
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Dear God, take all of my fear into your hands. When you are with me, I can conquer anything! I am sorry for the times that I don’t trust you. I know I don't have all the answers, so I choose to run to you with my questions, fears, and doubts. Help me to heed your commands to be strong and courageous. May I meditate on your word just as Joshua did so that I can be led by you. Thank you for being with me everywhere I go! In Jesus name, Amen.

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“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.” 

Joshua 1:9

Behind the Scenes

After Moses died, Joshua was chosen by God to lead the Israelites into the promised land, but he was overwhelmed of the daunting task of leading over six hundred thousand people into the promised land.  I’ve thought about what the logistics of this would have been like.  Can you imagine that many people setting up and tearing down camp, food, merchandise, medical attention, transportation, etc?  Many of these Israelites had already turned their hearts away from God, so God chose Joshua because of his heart.  Joshua was commanded to meditate day and night in scripture in the preceding verse, because no man alone could lead them without the guidance God’s intricate provision and direction.   

God’s command to be strong and courageous meant that Joshua needed to trust God as the source of his strength.  Joshua recognized that he didn’t have all the answers which made him the perfect vessel to be used.  He wasn’t confident in his own strength to lead well, so he was constantly running to God with every question, concern, and thought. He knew he didn’t have the answers, because over half a million people wandering through a desert is not a very logical plan, but God is bigger than logistics and numbers, and only He can make a way. 

Make it Real

Reading about Joshua in this regard helps me see him as a person just like you and me. He didn’t have a resume that qualified him to lead the Israelites.  He was just a spy!  What he did have was a heart after God, and that was qualifying enough to God.  Reading through these passages gives me courage. All we have to do is empty ourselves of ‘us’ and open a space for God to dwell so that we might be used for His Kingdom.  

In the first nine verses of Joshua, God commands him three times to be strong and courageous, reminding him that God was with him wherever he went.  I love the repetitiveness in this, because it’s easy to forget truths when we’re being fed lies.  God knows that we are forgetful.  We forget about His goodness.  We forget to trust Him sometimes.  We forget that He is with us wherever we go.  Sometimes it feels dark and lonely, but He’s there.  Sometimes we feel afraid, but He gives us courage.  Sometimes we are dismayed, but He sticks by our side.  If Joshua held onto courage while leading God’s people into the promised land, I know I can hold onto courage in my everyday life, too!  

Ali Bair

Ali Bair

ACF Devo Team

End in Prayer

Dear God, take all of my fear into your hands.  When you are with me, I can conquer anything!  I am sorry for the times that I don’t trust you. I know I don’t have all the answers, so I choose to run to you with my questions, fears, and doubts.  Help me to heed your commands to be strong and courageous.  May I meditate on your word just as Joshua did so that I can be led by you.  Thank you for being with me everywhere I go!  In Jesus name, Amen. 

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