I Will

Joshua 1:3

“I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.”

When I am riding my mountain bike on a new trail, I always take my time and go slower than normal in order to notice all the scenery so I can remember it for future rides.  Nothing beats the feeling of riding around the bend and getting a killer view of Barton Creek like on the trail.  You can see a long way and it is one of the best views in Austin. However, Getting there can only be done by remembering the trail.

In the first chapter of Joshua, God and Joshua have one of those talks that he has grown accustom to while being Moses’ right hand man. Instead this time, he is the man.  Before God tells Joshua what to do, He has three “I will’s”. 

1. I will give you every place where you set your foot.

2. I will be with you.

3. I will never leave you nor forsake you. 

The Lord then goes on to tell Joshua three times to be strong and courageous.  He says this because Joshua will lead the people, to be careful to obey all the laws, and last but not least, do not be afraid. 

In today’s world many people look at the be strong and courageous and part and forget about the three “I will’s” before it.  We are all called to be strong and courageous but we must recognize that we can only fulfill the call of God on our lives by recognizing that the Lord has the “I will’s” before. The end of first chapter has this phrase “Only be strong and courageous!”  This was spoken by the people to Joshua.  They grasped that the Lord will do his part and we are to “Only be….”. 

John 5:5 tells us, “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” Don’t go about being strong and courageous without Christ as your savior. We all seek to overcome this evil world and be strong doing it. Just like in Joshua chapter 1 the “I will’s” go before us so that we can “only be” just like Christ will go before us because he has overcome the world. You see, Joshua going into the promised land is like Christ opening up our hearts to His Spirit.

Have you been going about your Christian walk backwards?  Is your strong and courageous out of place?  Today, keep verse 8 on the tip of your thoughts “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.”  I only get to recognize the trails I ride on by riding on them multiple times.  We, as Christians, can only stay on the right path of life by keeping God’s Word on our lips and meditating on it day and night.  Don’t get the strong and courageous backwards. Recognize God first and let him strengthen you for battles ahead. 

Prayer: Father, I pray that I have the faith of Joshua who lead a country to overcome and take what you have already given us. I pray that I have your Word continually on my mouth and that I meditate on it day and night. Then I will be able to strong and courageous. In Jesus name, amen.