Step Out and Possess Your Territory
After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: "Moses my servant is dead. No then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give them . . . I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates -- all the Hittite country -- to the Mediterranean Sea to the west.
No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. . . . 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 1:1-9.
No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. . . . 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 1:1-9.
Moses was dead and Joshua had been commissioned by God to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. The mandate to Joshua was clear: Moses' job is done. It is now your turn to step up and fulfill your destiny.
The divine presence was assured: I will never leave you nor forsake you. I will be with you just as I with Moses. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life!
Don't be afraid and don't be discouraged because I am with you wherever you go.
The divine expectations were clear: If you are obedient to my law and continually meditate on my word, then you will enjoy unparalleled success and prosperity.
The territory to be occupied was clearly spelled out: From the desert of Lebanon all the way to the Mediterranean Sea to the west.
The one statement that is easy to overlook is: "I will give you every place where you set your foot." That is definitely a vital ingredient in the successful possession of the Promised Land. The LORD was telling Joshua: I have a huge blessing ahead for you but I expect you to boldly step out and possess that blessing. Don't just sit and expect it. Step out and fight for it.
God does not expect you and I to gaze eternally at His promises and keep dreaming about how we will translate the promises into tangible accomplishments. God expects us to take action. God expects us to step out and possess our blessings. God expects us to be courageous in the face of expected opposition as we fight to possess our blessings. We must take every initiative, knock on every door, and boldly fight to possess our Promised Land. It will never come into our possession by folding our arms, claiming it, and even praying endlessly. Step out and possess!
The divine presence was assured: I will never leave you nor forsake you. I will be with you just as I with Moses. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life!
Don't be afraid and don't be discouraged because I am with you wherever you go.
The divine expectations were clear: If you are obedient to my law and continually meditate on my word, then you will enjoy unparalleled success and prosperity.
The territory to be occupied was clearly spelled out: From the desert of Lebanon all the way to the Mediterranean Sea to the west.
The one statement that is easy to overlook is: "I will give you every place where you set your foot." That is definitely a vital ingredient in the successful possession of the Promised Land. The LORD was telling Joshua: I have a huge blessing ahead for you but I expect you to boldly step out and possess that blessing. Don't just sit and expect it. Step out and fight for it.
God does not expect you and I to gaze eternally at His promises and keep dreaming about how we will translate the promises into tangible accomplishments. God expects us to take action. God expects us to step out and possess our blessings. God expects us to be courageous in the face of expected opposition as we fight to possess our blessings. We must take every initiative, knock on every door, and boldly fight to possess our Promised Land. It will never come into our possession by folding our arms, claiming it, and even praying endlessly. Step out and possess!
Prayer: Jesus, you stepped out from heaven into humanity to possess souls. Help me to step out into my destiny to possess it. Amen