Joshua had been the servant of Moses, ministering to his needs and fighting battles as his captain. He humbly submitted to Moses’ leadership with loyalty and courage. When twelve spies were sent out to search the land of Canaan, Joshua was one of only two men who spoke with faith and desired to go forward into the land and conquer. Unfortunately, the majority vetoed the plan of God. So Joshua, along with others spent forty years wandering in the wilderness.
By the time we get to Joshua chapter 1 the old generation, including Moses, has died and Joshua is now the leader of Israel by order of the Lord. It was a big responsibility, especially considering the task that was before them — entering and conquering the land of Canaan. As we read Joshua chapter 1 we find the Lord encouraging and strengthening Joshua to go forward. Forward march! We can learn some things from Joshua about marching forward with a big task before him.
He Went Forward from God’s Command.
Joshua 1:1-5
“Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, 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. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. 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.“
God gave the command to go forward. With that command came hope of what Joshua and Israel could accomplish if they trust and obey.
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“We must go forward from God’s Word and leading.”
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Joshua didn’t come up with his own plan; he listened to God’s plan and obeyed. If we go forward, let us go forward from God’s command. Let us seek His Word and get directions from Him. We should not begin our “march” from the starting point of our own ideas, our feelings, or our personal goals. We must go forward from God’s Word and leading.
Psalm 119:105
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.“
If we will be forward folks, we need to move ahead from God’s command.
He Went Forward With Courage.
Joshua 1:6-7
“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.“
Multiple times throughout this chapter, the admonition to be courageous is found. Joshua would need courage for what he was to accomplish. It was a difficult, time-consuming, labor-intensive, and scary mission. Courage was needed. Courage is not the absence of fear or danger but it is the strength to go forward anyway. As believers, faith in the Lord is certainly tied to our courage because we must not be confident in self but in the Lord.
Psalm 27:14
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.“
When hard or fearful times or tasks come, we must be courageous, trusting the Lord for strength, timing, and help. Let us go forward with courage.
He Went Forward Finding Comfort.
Joshua 1:8-9
“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.“
In these verses the Lord reminds Joshua of some important truths that would bring him comfort and the strength to go forward. God reminds Joshua that as he just sticks to, meditates on, and obeys God’s Word, he would be successful. I’m thankful that the Lord gives us the playbook and we just simply have to read it, study it, and follow it. We go forward successfully in God’s eyes if we obey His Word.
Psalm 1:2-3
“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.“
God also reminded him that He would be with him. What great comfort that was to Joshua to be certain of God’s presence and power being with him and Israel wherever they go. We find ourselves in life with hard tasks and in unfamiliar territory. But as a child of God through faith in Jesus we can be confident of God being with us. What a comfort!
Hebrews 13:5
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.“
Joshua could march forward because of the comfort he found in the Lord’s Word and presence.
Joshua was a forward folk who marched forward into victory. He wasn’t perfect throughout his life and military career, but he followed God faithfully into battle. He went forward from God’s command, with courage, and finding comfort. We can march forward into the will of God too, possessing those things.
As we strive to reach New England with the Gospel, let’s keep moving forward like Joshua!