Saturday 12 Jul 2014

July 12: Joshua 1:1-9

Key Verse: Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Devotion:
When God does something for us we do tend to relax and enjoy what God has done. Sometimes we give in and expect God to do more for us instead of listening to what God spoke to us about in the beginning. I know that God has set a path before me because of so many things that have happened, words given to me and actions around me. Does this mean I should sit back and see what happens? No! It means I need to work toward what is going to happen, expecting it to happen and trusting that God will supply what I need in one way or another.

When God spoke to Joshua it was not a short word to say that everything was going to be fine now that Moses had died! God gave him the same warning that He gave to Moses: you had better listen to what I have to say or things will not go your way. He also warned Joshua that it was not going to be an easy journey because he would have to display courage! If God say you need courage He is not going to smooth your way so that you will not have anything to worry about from that moment onward. What God is saying is that you will need courage to get through what lies ahead, but you will get through it!

God does not leave things to chance to see what will happen. He has planned things and He encourages us to stick with the plan. That may mean coming up against things and people that will make us struggle. But as long as we do stick to what God has asked of us, then we should not need to worry – but we will still require courage! Being a Christian is not always an easy ride because people do tend to get upset with us! But God walks with us!

God wanted the Israelites to try to stick with the law so that it would be easier for them in the long run. He wanted to bless them but knew he could not if they were running off in the other direction. God wants to bless us as well but will not be able to unless we are listening to what He has to say in the first place. When we listen we can hear what God wants!

Points to Ponder:
Do you always listen?

Have you listened to God lately?