Encouraged By God - Bliss & Fire Network Weekly Digest - March 23, 2010

Encouraged By God 

“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. 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 whithersoever thou goest. 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.” -Joshua 1:6-9 (KJV) 

EXPLORATION

A careful look at the process by which God established the leadership of Joshua shows that it was very articulate! First of all, while Moses was still alive, God asked him to publicly proclaim Joshua the leader of the people and also bestow on him the same honor and authority that he (Moses) had over them. (Numbers 27:18-23).

Secondly, when it was time for Moses to die, God visited Moses and asked him to present himself in the tabernacle with Joshua. For the first time God gave direct charge of the leadership of the children of Israel to Joshua. This was for him to know that his appointment was not of man.

Thirdly when Moses eventually died, God visited Joshua alone for the first time, and said to him “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.”  - Joshua 1:2

INSPIRATION

We can see the systematic way God appointed and established Joshua as the leader of Israel in their wilderness journey. It left nobody in doubt that Joshua was God's choice to succeed Moses. No wonder the Bible says: “For God is not the author of confusione, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” - 1 Corinthians 14:33-40. “Let all things be done decently and in order.” -1 Corinthians 14:40

The manner in which the leadership of Joshua was established shows that God is a perfect administrator. We need to commit our business, family life, academic work, indeed every aspect of our life to Him and He will guide us in doing all things decently, orderly, peacefully, successfully, prosperously and happily. (Jeremiah 10:23, Psalm 27:5)

Any time God calls a person, he already knew the end of his ministry from the beginning. So he will give necessary instruction, guidelines and encouragement to help the minister fulfill his ministry.

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHT: Joshua first appeared in scripture as the commander of the Israeli army that defeated the Amalekites in a baffle. Historians are of the view that he could have been trained in Pharaoh's army and participated in Egyptian military campaigns in the land of Canaan. In addition, he could also have been involved in trade and commerce with the Canaanites while still in Egypt. Hence he and the other rulers could sneak in to spy the land of Canaan. (Numbers 13:1-16)

All told, Joshua had fought only one baffle on the side of the Israeli army which to a large extent would have been ill-equipped. But now he had to fight many fierce baffles against aggressive Arab nations who were always fighting each other and by reason of constant baffles had become war veterans. Above everything else, he had witnessed the number of times rebellion was organized against Moses his late predecessor, It was only natural for him to wonder how he was going to successfully face the challenge of this kind of leadership role.

There is no thought, worry or anxiety in our minds that God does not know about. So He said to Joshua: “Be strong and of a good courage...
...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.” -Joshua 1:6-9.  This promise holds for you! For all children of God! Amen!!!

God allayed Joshua's fears and assured him of victory for He said “every place the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses… There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of your life: as I was with Moses, so will I be with thee: I will not fail thee nor forsake thee” - Joshua 1:3, 5.

This week: God want you to enjoy the same, favor, honor and promises Joshua enjoyed. And for Joshua to enjoy all these beautiful promises, God gave him the condition: 

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shall meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shall make thy way prosperous, and then thou shall have good success” -Joshua 1:7-8.

Beloved! God is giving you the same condition that you mighty prosper in His word and have good success. God's principles for success remain unchanging. Whatever encouragement God gives His ministers is usually for them to determine to obey Him and live according to His word. Therein lays the key to good success.

Remember the Bible says: “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” - Matthew 7:24-27

You are blessed, we love you!

Pastor Wales Goriola

Bliss & Fire Network Team ©2010 

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