Day 10: Joshua 1:7-9
Read Joshua 1:7-9
Helpful Background Information:
Joshua had just taken over from Moses as the leader of God’s people, and he was about to lead the Israelites in a military conquest into the Promised Land. At first, it might seem like he just needed to be a good military leader. But verses 7–9 show that strength alone wasn't enough. Joshua needed to focus on being faithful to God's law, as given through Moses. Unless Joshua makes meditation upon, and obedience to, God’s law his first priority, his leadership will fail.
However, Joshua’s obedience and the success will be enjoyed in the presence of the LORD God, who gave both the law and the promises. When God says in verse 9 to be strong and courageous, and reminds Joshua that He is with him, it shows that Joshua will not succeed because he simply obeyed God’s instruction; he will succeed because God is with him to enable him to obey his instruction. Any success in doing God’s will must be done with a faithful heart that is reliant upon God; he gives the success and gets the glory.
Returning to Mark 1:35-49, we see Jesus rise early in the morning. Like Joshua, Jesus made meditation, prayer, and time with his Father a priority. Surely, Jesus was reminded of the Father’s presence and refreshed in his reliance upon him.
Jesus could succeed in this mission and be obedient - obviously because he was God in the flesh - but also because he was continually recentered by spending time with the Father. This equipped Jesus to move forward in his mission of spreading the Kingdom of God and saving sinners.
Reflection Questions:
In what ways could you follow Jesus’ pattern of being “re-centered” by spending time with the Father? How can you incorporate meditating on Scripture into your devotional times?
Our text emphasizes that Joshua's success wasn't just about obedience, but about God being with him. How does the understanding that God is with you change the way you approach challenges and tasks?
It is important to define “success” in a believer’s life biblically. Success does not mean financial prosperity, good health, or everything going right for you. Nor does being obedient earn us more favor with God. Rather, living a successful Christian life is by loving God and trusting in the finished work of Christ, which results in holiness and obedience. How does praying, meditating, and spending God aid you to be biblically successful?