Wednesday, July 3

To download an audio version, click here.

Joshua 1:1-11

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ² “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. ³ I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. ⁴ Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. ⁵ No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. ⁶ Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

⁷ “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

¹⁰ So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: ¹¹ “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’”

Be strong and very courageous.  Again, I love this!  Moses is dead and Joshua is simply told to be strong and courageous.  He doesn’t get a burning bush, a spirit filled staff, or a side kick to do his speaking.  Take a look at the rest of verse seven!  Joshua is admonished to be OBEDIENT!  No trick plays and no special treatment.  In other words or perhaps if one could reflect on his true “human-ness” he’s stuck in that classic chorus:  TRUST and Obey there is no other way!  Read the additional stanzas of this great Hymn as part of your worship this morning or those who can sing and know the tune…let it go!

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of his word, 

what a glory he sheds on our way! 

While we do his good will, he abides with us still, 

and with all who will trust and obey. 

Refrain: Trust and obey, for there's no other way 

to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. 

2. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, 

but our toil he doth richly repay; 

not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, 

but is blest if we trust and obey. 

3. But we never can prove the delights of his love 

until all on the altar we lay; 

for the favor he shows, for the joy he bestows, 

are for them who will trust and obey. 

4. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at his feet, 

or we'll walk by his side in the way; 

what he says we will do, where he sends we will go; 

never fear, only trust and obey. 

Bruce McEvoy

Pastor of Family and Serving