Israel was a miracle in the making...from the very beginning of its travels. There was no way in the natural sense they could have left as slaves in Egypt, there was no way they could have survived 40 years in the wilderness...not with approximately 2 million men, women, and children all going along the desert paths. It would have been one thing if a few scouts and small elite military force would have gone ahead...yet that was not the case....everyone came along...all the men women, and children.
These were fierce and militant tribes who had put their trust in the directives and commands on entirely different type gods....and they were not about to change....or leave!
Now, today we face a similar road...Joshua faced. The Laws of Moses have now been fulfilled, and through the work of God's only Son... His work is now available to us. The "Promised Land" we seek is the Kingdom of Heaven, now living in our hearts. We are to live out the ways Christ Jesus has taught us to live...taking the Laws of Moses to a whole new level....because of Him...the Risen One.
Our dreams, our goals in life, and our direction...can now how have a profound influence and passion...because the Lord Jesus lives...in our very hearts.
And, as the Lord instructed Joshua to keep his entire focus on life...on the Commands the Lord had given Moses....so we must keep our focus...on the Commands of the Lord Jesus.
Yet...what God had spoken to Moses and passed on to Joshua....is still true to this very day. We are not in the same situation the Israelites were in...having to enter a Promised Land...but we do live in a world where we are have the "Promised Land" already living...in our very hearts.
I think the biggest challenges we face today....is keeping the Commands of the Lord close to our hearts and making them a part of our everyday lives...not being distracted and accepting the "Commands of other gods."
A Gleaning from Joshua 1:1-9
"After the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, the Lord spoke to Joshua...the son of Nun, who had been Moses's assistant...to the very end. Joshua had been a faithful student to the Law of Moses, given to Moses by the Lord Himself.
The Lord said to Joshua: " Moses is gone...and no longer with you. This is your time...and you are to continue what I started with Moses. You will lead this entire nation...you are to cross the River Jordan...and take them into the land...the land I have promised to give you.
Here is where you need to put your focus: As you go and set your feet on this land I am about to give you...and remember, this includes all the land from the southern Negev wilderness to the Lebanon mountains in the north, as well as from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west...and yes...the land currently occupied by the Hittites are included as part of "your" land...all of this is part of the "Promised Land" that I had spoken to Moses.
Understand this: throughout your life...there is no one or no lifestyle that can stand against you and the Commands I have given you. You got My Word on it...and I have "your back" as well. Trust Me...I won't leave you....you can draw your strength as well as your courage in knowing this: what I did for Moses...I will continue to honor with you...and expand My promises to you...even more!
Keeping your focus on me...this is where your strength and confidence will be found...and courage will find its place in your heart as well. Trust Me, this is really going to happen...and you will see it for yourself....you and all the people...as you conquer and inherit this "Promised Land". That is why you can put all you got...heart, body, and soul...into it...It's My idea!
What you need to continue to do is this: Keep the words of the Law that I had spoke with Moses...keep these close to your very heart! Carry these Laws out in your daily lives...and follow through with these Laws...that are My Laws....and now they are...your laws!
Don't get distracted, try to change, or deviate in any way these Laws I have given through My servant Moses and, as you enter and begin to advance in gaining this land I am about to give you, don't let any of their philosophies, teachings, or laws that govern them...find any place in you! Don't even begin to think like they think....your success depends on this.
Instead, keep My Commands, My Laws...in your very hearts and minds...think about them, contemplate as to what they mean, and find ways to establish them in you daily lifestyles, acting them out so they are like second nature to you...and trust Me...you will have more success than you ever even dreamed of!
Above all...be strong as You embrace My Commands...get your courage from My Laws I have given you...and fear or discouragement will not find an entrance...to your very hearts and lives.
And be sure of this: I AM with you...wherever you go!
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