If…Then
April 27, 2022·Deborah Clark
In this week’s Pause Bible reading, we start in the Book of Joshua.
This book begins by telling us that Moses is dead and now Joshua is going to lead the Israelites into the land God promised them. Joshua has some pretty big shoes to fill. But Joshua is not alone. God is most definitely with him.
The Lord gives Joshua some great promises:
- I will give you every place where you set your foot.
- No one will be able to stand against you.
- As I was with Moses, I will be with you.
- I will never leave you or forsake you.
In addition to the promises, God also gives some directives.
In verses 7-9, there are some if/then statements that are worth looking at a bit deeper:
“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. 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. 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” (Joshua 1:7-9).
God is getting Joshua ready to lead the people into the Promised Land. And God thinks it’s worth telling him to obey the law Moses gave — these were the rules God had set out on how to live. God says, if you do this, then you will be successful.
God also tells Joshua to keep the Book of the Law on his lips, meditate on it, so thatyou can be careful to do everything written in it. Then, you will be prosperous and successful.
Want to prosper and succeed in this crazy journey you are starting? Then meditate on My Word and do what it says.
If you need some encouragement of God’s promises, be sure to read Joshua, chapter 1. And if you’re wondering how to be successful in God’s plan, the answers are there for us!
God has told us in His Word how to live. Use the Bible as your compass. And don’t just do a quick Bible reading to check off boxes. Meditate on it. Soak it in. Are we letting the Word penetrate our hearts? Is it changing how we think, speak, and act? When I have questions about life and what to do, where do I turn?
Joshua 1 is a great reminder that God’s Word is full of great promises and full of great direction. My encouragement to you — grab your Bible, read today’s chapters, and let the Lord speak to you. And then, whatever you may be facing today, whether filling Moses’ shoes or starting out to cross the Jordan, go live your day according to God’s Word. Let me know what happens!
Pastor Deborah Clark
