Only BE Strong & VERY Courageous

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. - bJoshua 1:7 KJV

After the death of Moses, God spoke to Joshua and told him, to arise and to lead the children of Israel into the land He promised them. Moses was dead and therefore Joshua had no one but God to look to. He had to solely rely on God. God gave Joshua a promise, ‘There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee’ - Joshua 1:5.

God told Joshua, ‘Only be thou strong and very courageous’. In essence God said, Do not fear! Do not be intimidated! Do not back down! Take courage! I will be with you! There was one thing God required of Joshua. God said, ‘observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded thee; turn not from it to the right hand or to the left. It was important for Joshau to obey ALL the laws of God. Not only some of the laws but all of the laws. This was very critical for Joshua to do, so the battles can be won. God continued and said, ‘turn not from it to the right hand or to the left’. Do not deviate! Do not go any other way but my way! Do not try some other method! Follow my commands, my instructions!

Why was it important for Joshua to obey God’s laws? So that he would prosper wherever he goes. How many of us wants to prosper wherever we go? There is an order, there is a way that we must follow and it is God’s way. Many of us have set out to do things. Have we seek the face of God for His will? Have we seek Him for wisdom and guidance? Have we asked Him to show us the way? Maybe we did. Are we doing things according to what He said? Have we turn to the right or left and have been doing things the world’s way?

God repeated the same words in Joshua 1:8-9, This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Take heed to the word of God! God is speaking!