Prescription for Success
God provided Joshua with a prescription for success in Joshua 1:5-9.
Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 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. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 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.”
We start with the specific words for Joshua – understand that this is for him in his circumstance. We titled this blog post ‘Prescription for Success’ but we start with a description of success for Joshua.
God’s promise
God promised he would be with Joshua (like he was with Moses) and that he would not leave him or forsake him. He had an incredibly difficult job for Joshua that required his presence and power. In Joshua, God’s purposes were being fulfilled as well as his promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
God’s commands
His first command was for him to be strong – Joshua was being given an expectation that he needed to respond to – a decision to be strong – based on the previous promise of God.
He was also told to be courageous. In leadership there were those who would discourage him. People would say things like: “it will never work” “we’ve never done it this way” “there’s gotta be a better way” “I don’t think you can pull that off.” And, there were enemies that would threaten him.
Demands in leadership are extraordinary and those demands could weaken him emotionally, physically, psychologically and spiritually. For all of these, he would need courage to continue.
God told him to be obedient to the law – God’s guidance meant success for him in his mission – obedience reaps great rewards. He was also to speak the law – remind himself and his people and to meditate on it.
God’s assurance
These conditions being met, Joshua would prosper and have good success. It was possible for him to be strong and courageous. He needn’t be frightened or dismayed because God would be with him wherever he went
Our prescription for success
While the scripture above was for Joshua and his mission according to God’s plan, the description we looked at is consistent with the biblical prescription for success!
These New Testament passages echo what we have read and apply to all who believe!
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:10–13 (ESV)
Paul tells us to be strong in the Lord. In other words, we decide to be strong based on what we know God wants to do in and through our lives.
We find strength in him. He gives us what we need to remain strong. We have a battle just like Joshua did – ours is spiritual wrestling. We do not fight flesh and blood – this is so important to remember. People who don’t believe are not our enemy, they are being used by our enemy. Too often we make the mistake that a group of people that seems opposed to the church is the enemy when, in fact, they are the harvest field that needs to experience the love and truth of God not the animosity of the religious.
What Jesus said
To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. John 10:3–4 (ESV)
Remember God told Joshua to meditate on the word. We listen to hear the word from the good shepherd. We listen for the voice and follow Jesus. This is part of our life as followers of Jesus. So, we must learn to shut out external noise – put down the phone, turn off the music, be still and experience God.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:10–11 (ESV)
The promise is abundant life when we hear and follow the voice. Jesus ensures our safety by laying down his life and there is so much more.
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:15–17 (ESV)
This is another reminder to be obedient and with the command – a promise. God sends us another helper to be with us forever. He is the Spirit of truth who is given to every disciple of Jesus. He dwells with us corporately (as a body – the church) and he dwells in us individually!
What do we need to do?
Be strong in the Lord – trust him and his power but make the decision – I will be strong in the Lord.
Be true to his word – learn his word, apply it to your life – I will be true to his word.
Follow Jesus every day – I will follow Jesus every day.
Claim all his promises – he will never leave you or forsake you; he is always there – Thank you, Jesus, for your presence
Your Turn
Make the declarations in the previous section and continue to follow along as we journey through the Bible.
Here is your guide for the coming week.
Weekly Reading: Joshua – break this down in daily readings that fit your schedule
Key points:
• Joshua was told to be strong and courageous. This is a conscious decision he was to make – and we are to make that decision as well.
• Achan was disobedient – and his failure to follow God’s directions came at great cost him and his family – as well as all the people. Disobedience to God has consequences that ripple outward from ourselves.
Questions for consideration:
1. How do we activate strength and courage to do the work God has called us to do?
2. What can we do to keep from rushing into major decisions? Consider what the leaders did regarding the Gibeonites. What has happened in your life when you made decisions based on what you have seen and failed to consult God’s leadership?
3. What did the eastern tribes do before returning home? What was the response of the tribes west of the Jordan? How was this crisis defused? What can we learn from this?
4. What commitment did Joshua make when he addressed the Israelites near the close of the book? Why did he say it was impossible for the people to serve the Lord? Why do you think he made that statement?