Read Joshua 1:1-9.
What would it look like to trust God so fully that fear was suddenly nonexistent? That we would walk in God’s promises so confidently that we would not make decisions or hesitate based on what we didn’t know, but would fully trust Him with all things. We would simply hold all things to Him; things in our past, things in our today, and all things ahead of us.
Can you imagine a faith journey with God with no fear? The first word that comes to my mind is freedom! There would be so much freedom to move forward in faith and in trust.
This is exactly what the Lord was inviting Joshua into as he took over the leadership of the Israelites after Moses’ death. Check out these words God spoke to Joshua again…
3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses …5 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. 6 Be strong and courageous … 7 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. 8 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. 9 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.
In the past when I would read verses like this, I would sometimes think, “So glad God did that for him, but that doesn’t apply to me.” Or sometimes it gives me a momentary boost of confidence or courage, like a coffee mug quote, but it quickly fades with the next challenge or difficult circumstance.
But recently I am seeing these verses as invitations to rest further into the character and nature of God. God desires to form His character and nature in us, and He uses these stories to invite us to trust Him with the same faith as the faithful before us because He is the same God.
When we can read His Word through this lens, we begin to receive it more personally. This lens moves it from a story about someone else to a way of me becoming more and more like Christ by living into His promises.
These truths about God’s character, when fully lived into, replace our weaknesses with His supernatural strength. Our timidity with His bold courage. Our fear with unhindered trust in His presence and power.
Let’s continue to lean into the character and nature of God that He is inviting us into through these promises. As we do, I pray “that He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being” (Ephesians 3:16) so that we may live together more fully and freely in Him!
Reflection:
- Do you have a hard time believing these promises are for you today? Why or why not?
- What would it look like for you to move forward in total faith in God’s promises, without fear?
- Which of the promises in Joshua 1 are you most excited to live into? Which do you think might be the hardest to live into?
Pray through the truth of Psalm 34:4-9
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
