A Challenging Situation
If you pick up a Bible, flip over to the book named Joshua, and just begin reading at chapter 1, you’ll find an intriguing story. Moses, the great hero of the Old Testament Scriptures, has died and it has fallen to Joshua to lead millions of Jews at least half his age into the land God had promised to give them.
No big deal… you know, overthrow entire nations, defeat multiple armies, keep millions of your people together as you conquer new territory. Just an average day for most of us, right? đŸ˜‰
A Comforting Thought
And so God sends an angelic messenger to reassure Joshua that God pays for what He orders. That is, if God told Joshua to do it, then He was going to make sure Joshua could do it.
I love how the Amplified version phrased this verse… “Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
“Have I not commanded you?” That’s awesome! Basically, God is telling Joshua… “You can’t lose! If I’ve commanded you to do, then when you do it you are going to succeed.”
Still True Today
Joshua did indeed follow the Lord’s command. And God did indeed keep His word that He would give Joshua success.
Now we could be tempted to think that this is a neat story that happened thousands of years ago and which has no bearing on our lives today. But nothing could be further from the truth.
The God who commanded Joshua & then came through for Joshua to succeed at fulfilling that command wants to be active in our lives in the same way today! He has a plan for us. He charges us to go after some massive undertaking which benefit both us and His Kingdom. And whatever He asks of us, He stands ready, willing and able to make sure we succeed at it.
So, what is it that He has commanded you? Is it to forgive someone? Is it to launch a business which will help people in need? Is it running for political office? Maybe start a non-profit to help couples with infertility adopt?
Whatever it is that God has asked of you, you need to know that you can’t lose because it’s His deal. He says to you like He said to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you?” And if He has, then you can rest assured you will succeed!
So rally the troops, gather your supplies, and start marching toward that goal because… you can’t lose!
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