Encouragement (Part 1): Week 2, Day 3

Welcome back to our third day of studying through Joshua 1:1-9.  This is the day that we APPLY what we have studied to our lives.  This is the day that we take everything that we have observed and interpreted in the text, and make it real and relevant to us.  I'm so thankful that you have come back today, on this most important day of study.

Take the time, one more time, to read through the text of this week (Joshua 1:1-9).

At this point in Scripture, Joshua is getting ready to lead the nation of Israel into the Promised Land of Canaan.  This is a mighty task for Joshua, one that surely would bring about fear and trepidation, if Joshua did not have the Lord directing his every step.

Look at verses 2, 3, and 5.  Earlier this week we wrote down what God said about Himself.  Review this.

1. I am giving.
2. I have given.
3. I spoke to Moses.
4. I have been with Moses.
5. I will be with you.
6. I will not fail you.
7. I will not forsake you.

If Joshua had any worry in his heart about his upcoming adventure, this should have surely taken it all away.  Joshua could look back at the times when Moses was in charge, and see how God fulfilled His promises to Moses.  God is using Moses as an example to Joshua to show how faithful He really is.  We also have Moses' example to look at (Joshua's, too...) to see God's faithfulness to His people.  God told Joshua that He was with him, He would not fail him, and He would not forsake him.  We can take these promises to the bank!  God is always with us, He will not fail us, and He will not forsake us!

God is comforting Joshua by telling him how wonderful and powerful He is.  Be strong and courageous.  Don't worry about anything.  I've got this!

Look closely at verses 7 and 8.  Joshua is given another command - to follow the law and do what it says.  Joshua is told to follow the law so that he will have success wherever he goes.  Joshua is told to meditate on the law day and night.  Why? So that he is careful to do according to all that is written in it.  If Joshua takes care to do this, he is told that he will be prosperous and successful.  This is not talking about being prosperous in a monetary way.  This is talking about being prosperous in a successful way.

There is so much to take in from these two verses alone.  I am passionate about studying my Bible.  I am convinced that God gave us 66 books that He expects us to know, understand, and do.  That is part of the reason why I am so excited about this online study.  I think that Bible study is so important to a Christian's daily walk, and I am so happy to lead you ladies through this study.  The command that Joshua is given is applicable to our lives today.  We need to "be careful to do according to all the law".  How can we be careful to do what the Bible says, if we don't take time to study the Bible?  We need to be careful to, "not turn from it to the right or to the left." We are commanded to follow the Bible exactly as the Bible says.  We have to know what is in the Scriptures, so we can know how to follow the Scriptures.  So how are we to accomplish this?  Verse 8 lays is out clearly for us: "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall mediate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it."  We are to be thinking about Scriptures day and night.  In our first day this week, I suggested that you mark time phrases with a green clock.  Day and night are time phrases.  They tell us exactly when we are supposed to think about the Scriptures - all the time!!

I talk to people who say that studying the Bible is an overwhelming task.  I agree that studying the Bible can be tough at times.  It takes dedication, and it takes time.  You and I have to make that time each and every day to study the Word of God.  Why? Because we are commanded to do so.

And just as Joshua was told that he would be successful, we will be, too.  This doesn't mean that we will have everything that we want, that we will have all the money in the world, that we will always have the perfect job, etc.  It means that if we remain faithful to God and His Word, then He will remain faithful to us.  We will be successful in all of the things that God has in store for us in our lives.

Be strong and courageous!

Do not fear or be dismayed!

The Lord is with us!

The Lord will not leave us!

The Lord will not forsake us!

Meditate on the Scripture!

Studying the Bible is the way to stay in His Word. Getting into the Scriptures, reading them, pondering them - the more more you are in His Word, the more important His Word will become to you.  You will see the world from God's perspective.  You will begin to appreciate the things of God more and more.

I am so glad you are on this journey of encouragement with me.  Be strong and courageous, my sister.  The Lord you God is with you wherever you go!

To read the previous posts on Encouragement, click these links:

Week 1: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3

Week 2: Day 1, Day 2