8This 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 good success.
9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go
Joshua 1:8-9
Ever so often when we read through the Bible, we highlight verses that give us encouragement and memorise the ones that are most useful to us. Those are all great habits, but how frequently do we meditate on them? How deep do we dive into that passage before coming to a conclusion? As we glance over the first chapter of Joshua, our eyes fall on the 9th verse. Similar to Philippians 4:13, it becomes a fantastic verse for T-shirts, bracelets and cups. Funnily enough, I have a coffee mug myself. However, upon reading the verse more in context or even reading the verse right above it, you get a better understanding of the immense value of Joshua 1:9 that teaches Christians how to be bold and courageous.
You’ll begin to see that there is fact an instruction that precedes it, an importance that it is attached to it and implications that follow it.
The Instruction
Before God encourages, he commands. Before he promises success, he establishes a prerequisite. In verse 7, He tells the Israelites to be careful to do according to all the law that Moses had commanded them and not to turn from it to the right hand or to the left. God requires us to stay on the path of his instruction and not to wander off. Then the charge is reiterated in verse 8, “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 “. Nowhere in the Bible are we told to just read the Bible, but we are instructed constantly to meditate on it. The only way we shall begin to be bold and courageous is by incessantly abiding by the word.
Observe how God does not demand partial obedience or superficial compliance, but full submission. We are not told to do according to most of what is written, but all that is written. This is no burden for Christians (1 John 5:3), the psalmist in Psalms 119:97 writes Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. The evidence of our love for Christ is not merely an oral profession, but living obedience (John 14:15). Any command from God ought to be obeyed wholeheartedly and entirely with the help of the Holy Spirit. A command repeated twice consecutively, as is it here, must not be taken lightly.
The Importance
Why must we be so careful to do according to all that is written in the Bible? We do not have to look far to find the answer. In fact you only need to go 3 chapters in Genesis before reading of the fall of man due to disobedience to God. This is the reason why the judges appealed to the people and why the prophets announced judgement on nations. Why kingdoms under God-fearing kings thrived and why other kingdoms perished.
Why else would Proverbs be filled with entreaties to “hold fast to instruction”, to “bind them around the neck”, to “write them on the tablets of the heart”. Why else would David, when his time drew near, advised Solomon to “walk in obedience to Him, and keep His decrees and commands, His laws and regulations… so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go” (1 Kings 2:3).
The word of God is the most essential, necessary, pivotal tool Christians have in life. It equips us for spiritual warfare, it delivers us from temptation, it guides us daily. If we cling on to God’s word and his promises, we have nothing to fear either in this life or the next. We can be bold, we can be courageous. From the flood in Genesis to the second coming of Christ, history and fate has depended and will always depend on this: whether we adhere to the word of God or we stray from it.
The Implication
Along with the stern commandment, there follows a delightful promise. Although a demanding decree, it is also a warming assurance. A wonderful hope albeit a strict behest. It’s a fact that every action we do creates an effect. Whether it’s a deed, an utterance or even a thought, everything has its own ramifications, either conducive or damaging. When we meditate on scripture, when we obey everything that is instructed to us, we put our trust on God and not on the things of this world. By putting our confidence in the Lord, we know He will provide, He will protect and He will preside over all our affairs. In verse 8, God tells the Israelites that they will have good success.
How do you define success? The world defines it as having wealth, power and popularity. The prosperity preachers love using verses like these to spread their false, detestable, heretical teachings. However, let us focus all our attention away from these fleeting, perishable things to the everlasting, glorious treasure in heaven. (1 Timothy 6:6-10 and Matthew 6:19–20 elucidates this powerfully.) The greater and far better promise for us ought to be in verse 9, “the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” . What is there to be afraid of? Meditate on this and be bold and courageous.
Moses, Israel’s beloved leader, had just passed away and Joshua was to take the baton. They had come so far as to crossing the Jordan and another obstacle lay in front of them, the walls of Jericho. The present Israelites had absolutely nothing to fear since they had seen the numerous miracles performed by God. When reading through our Bible, we see how God constantly instructs His people throughout the ages to keep His word. If obeyed, blessings would ensue. If not, judgement was to fall. The Israelites had forgotten, rebelled and turned to lifeless idols. Notice how it has always been God initiating the wonderful promises, but man failing by sheer disobedience.
How often do we find ourselves in the same situation? Weary, troubled, afraid. We’re so quick to forget God’s faithfulness even after all the Lord has done in our lives. Nevertheless, God confirms His pledge once again by instructing, reminding and encouraging Joshua and the people.
We too can be bold and courageous
1) By meditating on God’s word. It empowers us, it transforms us, it strengthens us. It reminds us of God’s faithfulness through the ages.
2) By obeying God’s word. Heartily, sincerely, entirely.
3) By trusting God. Remembering His magnificent promises, His faithful providence and most importantly His nature. That He is faithful, He is mighty and He is sovereign.
Praise the Lord! I was so impacted by this reflection. It brought so much refreshment and a healthy, comprehensive reminder to keep the faith.