God Speaks
Joshua Leads the Israelites Across the Jordan
Verse of the Day: “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law that my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go,” (Joshua 1:7-9)
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We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Joshua 1-4:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Joshua 1
1. God enables the people who belong to and follow Him to be strong and courageous.
2. People will follow a strong and courageous leader.
Joshua 2
1. God accepts, protects, and provides for people, even those who have previously lived wickedly, if they will turn and declare their faith in Him.
2. At least some of the people who hear of the mighty acts of God will turn to Him in faith.
Joshua 3
1. God chooses people like Joshua and Moses to lead His people, and He may do miraculous things through them.
2. People need to obey God precisely in order to see Him work miracles through them.
Joshua 4
1. God made a dry path through both the Red Sea and the Jordon River so that “all the nations of the earth might know that the LORD’s hand is powerful, and so [all peoples] might fear the LORD [and turn to Him as their] God forever.” (Joshua 4:24 NLT)
2. While it is God who makes leaders great, people need to hold leaders in high regard, and leaders need to lead in such a way as to garner that respect.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Joshua 1-4?
Dear all-wise and knowing LORD God, while I mourn the loss of a friend and/or mentor help me to move on to honoring them and You by courageously leading the people You have put in my sphere of influence. I declare that You have a special place laid out for me: help me to cooperate with You to take possession of it. You will never leave or abandon me. Help me to act carefully in accordance with the laws and principles You have laid out in the scriptures. Show me who is to serve You and other people in the ways You have planned. Help us all to carry it out for Your glory. Teach me how to deal with rebellion. Most of all give us strength and courage. Don’t let me look down on other people but accept whatever help is offered, even if it is different than what I might think is “right.” May I acknowledge someone else’s understanding of You and Your plans and purposes. When someone asks for my help and protection, may I keep my promises. All for Your glory and our good, LORD.
Dear Gracious God who guides Your people, show me how You want me to purify myself so that I am ready to witness the great wonders You are about to do among Your people. May I also be ready, willing, and able to do whatever assignment You give me. May I have the privilege of telling someone about the living God who came and died to take away our sin and who conquered our enemies. May I follow You, LORD, even when things don’t make sense to me. May miraculous things happen in response to my and others’ obedience. May we erect lasting memorials to Your mercy, grace, and love both visible and invisible. Help Your people to be faithful to carry out all Your commands, written and unwritten. Please raise up warriors (especially men) who are armed and ready for battle, both physically and spiritually. Give all Your people strength and courage. May parents and other adults be faithful in explaining to upcoming generations the meaning of the memorials. Then eventually all the nations of the earth will know that the LORD’s hand is powerful, and all people will fear the LORD God forever. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Joshua 1-4? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will ask the LORD to give me the courage and strength I need to further His plans.
- I will ask God to show me how He wants me to support and/or protect Christian workers, especially in dangerous places, then do it.
- I will write a letter to my pastor or other leader to express admiration, encouragement, and appreciation.
- I will set aside time each morning to talk with and listen to the LORD through the Bible and through the quiet whisper of the Holy Spirit; then I’ll do whatever He says even if I don’t understand. In the evening I will journal what God did for, in and through me so that I can share it in the future.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.