RPG Adults
GOD REPEATED HIS PROMISE TO JOSHUA
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5
Joshua 1:1-9
Psalm 37:3-7
“Rest in the LORD,
and wait patiently for him…”
GOD REPEATED HIS PROMISE TO JOSHUA
God spoke with emphasis in His speech. He was specific in repeating the promise: “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses” (Josh 1:3). This was as if God said, “Surely I will give you the land.” He described the boundary of the land. It was a description similar to a modern surveyor’s language. Even in the subsequent division of the land, there was a manifestation of survey skill. God described the boundaries in all the four corners, east, west, north and south. It was from the boundary of Lebanon to River Euphrates and the land of the Hittites and the Great Sea in the west.
In the midst of the description, God again reaffirmed to Joshua that no man would stand before him. The land that he was asked to enter and settle Israel in was not idle. There were people living in it and they had cities with high walls. They were also huge in stature. They tilled the land and also kept livestock. They would not be willing to give up their land to Israel without putting up a fight. This was where Joshua needed encouragement and assurance of victory. Though God had promised to be with him, the victory would not come on a silver platter. These are the words of encouragement that God gave to Joshua: “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. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them” (Josh 1:5-6). Joshua was no coward. He took in the words of God and trusted God to guide him. In his leadership, he had to be a military strategist. The victory in any war begins with winning the psychological war. This is the preparation of the heart. Once the heart is set on victory, the battle is half won. Joshua had a heart of courage from God. The second phase of warfare is actual combat.
THOUGHT: God is the Source of courage and victory.
PRAYER: Father, give me a heart that consistently fulfils my duties.