You can read about the account of Joshua in the book of Joshua. It picks up after the death of Moses, who brought the Israelites to the edge of the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. This land had been spied out years before and was described as a land flowing with milk and honey; a land where a single cluster of grapes had to be carried on a pole between two men. Finally, the time of wandering ended and the Lord appointed Joshua to bring them safely into the Promised Land.

Joshua 1:1-2 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.

The Lord gave Joshua and the people a repeated command to be strong and courageous.

Joshua 1:6-7 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 Have 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.”

After many years of battles, the Lord finally gave the Israelites rest in the land. Joshua is old, nearing the end of his life and encourages the people to be careful to love the Lord.

Joshua 23:1-3, 11 A long time afterward, when the LORD had given rest to Israel from all their surrounding enemies, and Joshua was old and well advanced in years,  Joshua summoned all Israel, its elders and heads, its judges and officers, and said to them, “I am now old and well advanced in years. And you have seen all that the LORD your God hasdone to all these nations for your sake, for it is the LORD your God who has fought for you. Be very careful, therefore, to love the LORD your God.

Who is God in the person of Jesus in this account? He is Our Salvation. He is God with us.

Matthew 1:21-23 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel”(which means, God with us). 

Joshua is Jesus in Hebrew and Jesus is Joshua in Greek. The name means “the Lord saves.” Joshua was appointed to temporarily save the Israelites by bringing them safely into the Promised Land by conquering their enemies, which came at a cost. Similarly, Jesus was and is appointed to eternally save anyone who confesses with his mouth and believes in his heart that He is Lord by conquering the greatest enemy we have; our sin, which came at greater cost, namely His life.

Who are we in Him? We are Saved. We are More than Conquerors.

Romans 8:31-35, 37-39 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When You Pray…

Pray for:

1. Yourself
2. Your Spouse
3. Your Children/Grandchildren
4. It’s Wednesday – pray for your extended family; grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins

If you believe, praise the Lord for saving you by conquering the power of sin and death. As Joshua encouraged the Israelites, I want to encourage you to ‘be strong and courageous being very careful to love the LORD your God knowing that He is with you.’ If you don’t believe, may today be the day appointed to you for salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

Blessings to you,

Heather