March 23, 2022
Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying … (Joshua 1:1)
The great pursuit that every man or woman, boy or girl, must embrace is to pursue God. To come to know Him—personally, intimately, experientially—is to find life. Everything you need is found in Him and unless you make this the great pursuit you will miss all that matters and lasts. But this search would be impossible except for one vital reality ...
God speaks.
JOSHUA’S DILEMMA
An 80-year-old leader inherited the mantel of leading God’s people from the greatest leader in the world in his day. After Moses’ death, Joshua was charged with the task of taking God’s chosen people into the Promised land. It was a task that Moses himself was unable to accomplish and this fact was not lost on Joshua.
He had received his instructions from Moses, but now the most important moment of his leadership training occurs. “The Lord SPOKE to Joshua … saying.”
The next verses record the instructions from God to His leader. God accompanied the directions with promises of success. Most importantly, God said He would be with Joshua, just as he had been with Moses. This promise was the most foundational. All of Joshua’s next chapter would rest upon the promise of God’s presence. But this promise would have been lost had not Joshua heard God speak.
LISTENING
If everything depends upon God’s voice then, on the human responsibility side, everything depends upon our listening and obeying. Three times God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous, but this strength was predicated upon the promises of God which Joshua could only know if he got in a posture to hear.
This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:8-9)
God is not limited in His communication. In fact, He designed His entire world to be used in speaking to His children. Creation speaks, talking daily to us of His nature (if we will listen). God has given us His Word and His Spirit to speak to us. Therefore, we must meditate on the Scriptures “day and night.”
And then there is the Speaking Voice. Just as God spoke to Joshua, He will speak to us. The Holy Spirit is the One of His triune nature that connects with us in this communication. His Word and His Spirit will communicate to us everything we need to know about everything we need to know about. You must believe in this communication and respond in humble, courageous faith.
Father, we’re overwhelmed at Your readiness to speak to us. May I be ready to hear today. Give me the humility to close my mouth and listen, the faith to believe it is You that is communicating, and the courage to move forward at the sound of Your voice.
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