Joshua 1 … Consider His Way of Success

Originally posted: 08/18/2019

Joshua, having been groomed for this position over the last forty years, is now called to lead his people into the Promised Land.

Joshua, one of only two who dared to see the giants of the land through the eyes of faith in his God, is to step into the shoes of Moses, the prophet so honored and revered.

Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, ¹¹ for all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants, and all his land, ¹² and for all the mighty power and for all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel, (Deuteronomy 34:10-12).

Some pretty big shoes to fill. Is it any wonder that Joshua had been exhorted with the command to “be strong and courageous” by both Moses and the Lord?

Then Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. ⁸ The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed, (Deuteronomy 31:7-8).

Then [the LORD] commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the sons of Israel into the land which I swore to them, and I will be with you,” (Deuteronomy 31:23).

Joshua may have felt his feet were not quite up to the task of filling the shoes of the great prophet. But it was not Joshua’s feet, or feelings, or facts of his own capabilities that were to lead the way; Joshua was to follow His Way of Success.

Consider His Way of Success

“Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 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; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go,” (1:7-9).

• His Way of Success is in hearing His Word:
  • “Only be strong and very courageous”

• His Way of Success is in obeying His Word:
  • “be careful to do according to all the law”

• His Way of Success is in knowing His Word:
  • “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth”

• His Way of Success is in meditating upon His Word:
  • “you shall meditate on it day and night”

• His Way of Success is in believing His Promises:
  • “for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success”

• His Way of Success is in persevering by faith:
  • “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed”

• His Way of Success is in His Presence:
  • “for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”

How do we respond to His Way of Success?

The world has a very different perspective on success. Most often the world defines success through the lens of possessions, position, and power.

There is a way which seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death, (Proverbs 14:12).

Our success is to be measured, not by the world’s standards, but through His Way alone, by His Way of Success.

In considering God’s Words to His servant Joshua, we see a developing advancement described in attaining His Way of Success.

His Way of Success must always begin with faith in His Word that is followed by our obedience. Obedience will lead to a deeper hunger to know Him more, coupled with a deeper desire to regularly seek Him in His Word. As He meets us in His Word, we are prompted to think on and meditate upon His promises. Reminding ourselves of what He has placed in our heart strengthens our faith to displace fear with perseverance and ultimately culminates in the transformative experience of His empowering Presence.

• Our faith comes from hearing His Word.
  • So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ, (Romans 10:17).

• When we love Him, we obey what we have heard.
  • Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him,” (John 14:23).

• Obedience grows our hunger to know His Word and enables us to discern His truth.
  • How sweet are Your words to my taste!
    Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
    ¹⁰⁴ From Your precepts I get understanding;
    Therefore I hate every false way, (Psalm 119:103-104).

• As we meditate in His Word, we will grow in our discernment and experience His blessings.
  • How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
    Nor stand in the path of sinners,
    Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
    ² But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    And in His law he meditates day and night.
    ³ He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
    Which yields its fruit in its season
    And its leaf does not wither;
    And in whatever he does, he prospers, (Psalm 1:1-3).

• When we experience His blessings we are strengthened to believe His promises for our provision.
  • And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen, (Philippians 4:19-20).
    

• Because we believe He supplies all our needs, we are enabled to persevere in faith.
  • Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing, (James 1:2-4).

• Through persevering faith we will experience His transforming and empowering Presence.
  • …for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” ⁶ so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6).

No matter what He calls us to, no matter how daunting the task or incapable we feel, He has been grooming us for His Success and prosperity.

May we daily submit and advance towards His Way of Success, that we would grow in our faith to be strong and courageous and follow Him all the days of our lives.

Let’s Grow Together!